Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta after various attempts made by Parliament to get him account for Covid-19 related spending, today, 22nd June, 2022 showed up in Parliament.
Ahead of the finance Minister’s show in Parliament, 16 questions from parliamentarians where awaiting his response.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta noted that 85 percent utilization of the total amount was undertaken. “Mr.Speaker, a total amount of GH¢4,601 million was programmed in the 2021 budget for COVID-19 related expenses. At the end of December 2021, total utilisation was GH¢3,914.40 million representing 85 percent utilization”.
The finance minister Ken Ofori Atta added that the notion that government data on Covid-19 spending was inconsistencies over the period is wrong.
“I wish to dispel the notion that there have been inconsistencies in Government data on COVID-19. His Excellency the President intimated during that State of the Nation Address on 30th March, 2022, that we had mobilised about Gh¢17.7 billion since 2020 to fight the pandemic. We have subsequently reconciled the data and I can report that as of end-May, 2022, we have mobilised Gh¢18.19 billion to mitigate the effect of the pandemic”.
Addressing Parliament to break down how the Covid-19 funds were disbursed, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta, added that all government involved in the disbursement were audited over the period.
“All implementing entities (Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembles) that received funds for COVID-19 expenditure were required to keep the relevant documentation for audit purposes”.
He concluded by saying the funds were used to support households, Health Response-Supplies Equipment and Relief for health workers, health infrastructure, security operations, evacuations and coordination and procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.