Kojo Bonsu Denies Misappropriating Kumasi Funds

The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Mr Kojo Bonsu has debunked the allegation of misappropriation of funds levelled against him by some members of the assembly.

He says the allegations are baseless, hollow and lack merits and should be treated with contempt.
“The said assemblymen have failed to adduce any single evidence to back their allegation and these false claims can only be seen as a desperate attempt to soil my hard won reputation,” he said.

He said the accounts of the assembly were available for scrutiny and challenged anyone with evidence to come forward.

Since last week, some aggrieved assemblymen have been calling for the arrest of the mayor for exceeding the budget approved by the assembly for the construction of the Rattray Park and for misappropriating funds of the assembly.

The group has subsequently petitioned the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and the Economic and Organised Crime Office to indict the mayor.

However, at a press conference addressed by his spokesman, Sammy Gyamfi, the mayor refuted all the claims and described his accusers as people doing the bidding of his political opponents.

Admittedly, he said the assembly overrun its budget for the construction of the Rattray Park but explained that it was due to the depreciation in the local currency and variation in the prices of some of the materials used for the park.

Besides that, he said it was normal practice “in most public institutions provided the necessary laid down procedure in expending such additional resources are followed and the KMA is no exception in this practice.”

Rattray Park

He said the park has become the leading tourist attraction facility in the metropolis and attracting thousands of patrons from all parts of the county and even outside the shores of the country.

“The corresponding inflow of revenue from the park is ample testimony of the critical importance of the facility not just as a tourism attraction but also as a huge revenue basket for the KMA,” he stated.