Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate beneficiaries of the government’s Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme who allegedly consumed the birds distributed to them instead of using them for the programme’s intended purpose.
The Effutu MP argued that the birds were supplied under a state-funded initiative aimed at improving livelihoods and boosting local poultry production, and therefore beneficiaries who failed to rear them should be held accountable for the misuse of public resources.
He made the remarks on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, July 14, during deliberations on the implementation of the programme.
According to Afenyo-Markin, beneficiaries were expected to rear the birds, sell them and reinvest the proceeds to sustain the initiative.
“They have eaten it. They were supposed to rear the birds and sell and reinvest. Now that they have consumed the birds, what will become of them? What is the accountability in it?” he questioned.
The Minority Leader argued that if the government is committed to ensuring accountability in the management of public resources, then beneficiaries who allegedly failed to use the birds for their intended purpose should also be investigated.
“You guys are talking about accountability, so your party members who got the birds that they said they have consumed and have given evidence to the Minister, are you going to send them to EOCO? Because it is state funds, it also amounts to looting; however, the amount,” he stated.
The Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme was introduced as a government intervention to support households, strengthen local poultry production and improve food security.
Afenyo-Markin’s comments follow claims by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, that some beneficiaries admitted consuming the birds distributed under the programme instead of raising them for commercial purposes.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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