As the dust on the wanton dissipation of public funds for personal use at the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) is yet to settle, interesting revelations have started emerging with regards to the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Isaac Ashai Odamtten, appointing four cronies to help in the day-to- day administration of the assembly.
The special aides have been given separate offices in the assembly while deputy directors of the assembly, numbering about six, are sharing a small office formerly meant to be used as a store room for the assembly.
Joshua Quist, Ibrahim Nii Adjetey, Richard Fiadomor and a certain Joe, the personal assistant, who attend meetings on behalf and with the MCE, sign to receive allowance and fuel due to their strong influence at the TMA.
Quist, who moves with the MCE, was recently given an office in a building on the TMA premises while staff at the procurement, public health and country planning departments of the assembly operate from a dilapidated wooden structure which was built several years ago without any renovation.
Richard Fiadomor whose office is close to that of the MCE handles administration duties by controlling the finance office as to what to pay to the staff, among others duties.
The rest of the personal assistants, Ibrahim and Joe, are also in charge of external matters on behalf of the Tema Mayor.
According to some sources, Mr Odamtten is again considering the appointment of more special aides who would be paid with Internally Generated Fund (IGF).
Some of the staff who are unhappy with the attitudes some of the special aides have started requesting for transfer.
In responding to the story of the lavish birthday parties organised at the assembly, the Tema Major failed to mention the total budget for the two separate birthday celebrations held for some staff who celebrated their birthday in the month of May/June and July/August.
He only tried to defend himself by describing the buffet as an interaction meeting which was only organised with drinks and pastries.
Source: GhanaWeb
