According to Ms. Ellen Ama Daaku of the National Communications team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), there was no dishonesty in the government's choice to utilise a portion of the Covid monies to pay for free water and power for lifeline subscribers during the height of the epidemic.
She said that despite being free, the government still had to find a way to pay the service providers, which is why some of the Covid monies were used to cover the expense.
In response to a debate on the breakdown of the Covid funds use presented by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in Parliament on Wednesday June 22, she made this statement on the New Day show with Berla Mundi on TV3 on Thursday, June 23.
She questioned, "Where is the dishonesty in this?"
Speaking in front of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ofori-Atta said that 143 million of the 200 million dollars set up for free water and energy for lifeline customers were really used.
He said, "Our response was bold, decisive, and compassionate, but it has also been expensive. You may recall, Mr. Speaker, that on March 30, 2020, I informed the House of Commons that the coronavirus alleviation programme had begun to have an economic impact on Ghana's economy as a result of the Covid 19 epidemic.
About $19.3 billion from diverse funding sources to directly and indirectly support the budget. On the spending side, 11.16 billion was budgeted for costs associated with Covid-19. The discrepancy of 8.14 billion pounds was intended to cover any deficit in income.
"In 2021, the budget programme calls for spending a total of 4.6 billion pounds on Covid-19-related costs. It is important to note that while the different Covid-19 initiatives and associated costs were carried out by the appropriate sector ministries and agencies, the Ministry of Finance mobilised the necessary financial resources.