By Liberty AMEWODE
rliberty.news@gmail.com
Details emerging from dailyEXPRESS enquiries have revealed that the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) in April 2008 and contrary to available information paid out a total of thirteen billion, five hundred and forty-six million, three hundred and twenty-six thousand old Ghana Cedis [¢13,546,326,000] for a disputed vocational institute in Kumasi.
As at July 2009, the Ministry had still not been able to take possession of the Mancell Vocational Institute for Girls because some members of the Mancell family claim they have not received any payment for the alleged lease of the property.
The transaction which was concluded by the former sector Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, on behalf of government has no agreement covering it. It has also been confirmed by officials of the Ministry that due diligence was not conducted before the purchase and despite available information suggesting family litigation over the property the Ministry went ahead to make payment to one faction. Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry, Rowland Modey confirmed in an interview that due diligence was not conducted.
“What we know is that the lawyers for the other group claiming the property wrote advising the Minister that they have an interest in the property but this was ignored. That’s why today we have this problems and the Ministry cannot go near the property”, a source who informed dailyEXPRESS of the murky transaction said.
dailyEXPRESS has also gathered that the Ministry does not have the mandate to purchase assets on behalf of the Ministry.
Mr. Rowland Modey in an interview with the dailyEXPRESS confirmed that the property is a subject of litigation and that the Ministry is unable to access it. He however disclosed that government is currently reviewing many transactions including the Mancell Vocational Institute for Girls. He agreed that due diligence was not taken when the purchase was done.
