Professor Fred Binka, a clinical epidemiologist, expressed his dissatisfaction with the manner the Finance Minister presented the breakdown of the Covid funding use.
According to Prof. Binka, he was unable to determine from the presentation how much money the government actually spent on the pandemic-fighting measures that were actually implemented.
"I was terribly upset," he said to Eric Mawune Egberta on the Hot Edition on 3FM. To begin with, I had trouble determining how much money had actually been spent on the Covid. I can promise you that more than half of the vaccinations I saw appeared to be donated, which was the only data I saw that suggested we were acting on Covid. Most of the immunizations we have today were donated. We should have reagent by now, Tests are the only means by which we can combat COVID.
"The problem with creating hospitals is how to transport patients to the hospital if they haven't been tested. I was really upset because, despite the fact that I am not an economist, I was unable to notice the paragraph that stated that by testing as regularly as possible and ensuring that the sickness doesn't spread throughout the nation, we were preparing for the pandemic.
On Wednesday, June 22, Mr. Ofori-Atta appeared before the Parliament to account for the funds.
He informed the parliamentarians that "200 million was made available for free water and energy for lifeline consumers, out of this, 143 million were utilised" in the field of free water and electricity for lifeline users. He continued by informing the House that "while our reaction was decisive, compassionate, and brave, 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.
"In addition, I mentioned that the extra request contained programme money of 19.3 billion from a variety of funding sources to support the budget both directly and indirectly at the presentation of the 2020 mid-year budget fiscal policy. 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.