Ishmael Yamson Tells GIPC Staff: Comply With The Rules Or Find Your Way Out

Board Chairman of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Ishmael Yamson, appears sickened by the conduct of some workers of the Centre who are currently in the grips of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI). The workers have been interdicted over the findings of an internal audit into their activities and operations at the State-owned institution. Four officials comprising the Director of Legal Services, A.R Mahama, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Edward Ashong-Lartey, Head of Finance, Kenneth Doh and Vivian Agyepong, an Administrative and Protocol officer, have been reportedly dismissed upon the recommendations of a committee set up to investigate their actions. The Director of Legal Services, Mr. Mahama was cited for diverting some monies to a tune of GHC 20,900 of GIPC funds into his personal account in gross violation of the Public Services regulation. �It is a known long this huge amount of public funds has been kept in his personal account without the knowledge of management of the Centre�� a Daily Guide report disclosed. The publication also revealed that an �audit report, which is dated May 28, 2013, among others, indicated that there were irregular bank reconciliation of the Centre�s finances, no documented treasury process and no documented security policies. �The report also exposed a lack of a documented payroll process as well as lack of clearly defined salary structure at GIPC. Others include lack of a transport policy, non-compliance of vehicle use controls and non-availability of a fleet register at the country�s investment promotion Centre." It further divulged other activities carried out under the cover of darkness by the four interdicted officials. Vivian Agyepong was also picked up by the BNI and currently being interrogated about her involvement in the cover up. The GIPC Boss, addressing the issue, indicated that the suspects will face prosecution if found guilty of the allegations leveled against them, hence expressing disappointment in his employees. �My disappointment is that why should they who are entrusted with authority and responsibility behave the way they have behaved? Now the good thing is that the GIPC has stood up to face this problem. We will be relentless on our effort to make sure that the rights are always done.� He was alarmed by the discoveries and therefore warned officials at the Centre to undertake their duties in compliance with the rules of the institution or �find their exit�.