Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has debunked claims that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in his region have been asked to contribute between ¢2,000 and ¢5,000 for his father’s funeral.
A letter making rounds on social media contended that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the Western Region had been asked to pay the said amount as a contribution towards the funeral of the father of the Regional Minister.
It discloses that these payments had been discussed with the MMDCEs, but it was not stated whether an agreement was reached and why state resources would be paid towards the funeral of a private citizen.
The letter signed by the Chief Director of the Western Regional Coordinating Council and sighted by Awake News said payments must be fulfilled by Monday, September 20.
“All monies should be paid to the Regional Accountant – WRCC (Room 19) by close of work on Monday 20th september, 2021”.
The letter addressed to all MMDCEs in that region was written on the letterhead of the Coordinating Council, which is of concern to people.
However, the notion is that the death of the Regional Minister’s father is purely a private matter.
According to the letter, the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Prestea Huni Valley, Tarkwa Nsuaem Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal and Ellembele District Assemblies are to pay ¢5,000 each.
Ahanta West, Wassa Amenfi East, Wassa Amenfi West and Jomoro Municipal Assemblies are to pay ¢3,500 each.
Meanwhile, Wassa East, Shama, Wassa Amenfi Central and Mpohor Districts and Nzema East Municipal are required to pay ¢2,000 each.
But a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Western Regional Coordinating Council revealed that no such directive has been issued.
“The attention of the Hon. Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has been drawn to a letter dated September 15, on the above matter.
“He has not instructed any Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to make any payment in support of his father’s funeral or any other funeral”.
“Please disregard and consider as not true any such information as the purported letter did not have the seal of the Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC),” the letter read.
The funeral for the Regional Minister’s father is scheduled to come off between September 23 and 25 at Boanim in the Ashanti Region.