The investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the Ada East Persons with Diabilities Common Fund is facing a total collapse.
While the seven-member investigative committee was originally expected to present its final findings by tomorrow, 15 January, new information indicates that the committee has not yet held a single hearing.
The standoff has taken a confusing turn as the Chairman of the District Fund Management Committee, Mr. Theophilus Dugbatey Ayim, who is also the GFD representative, revealed that he has yet to receive any formal invitation or notification from the investigative team.
This raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the probe, as Mr. Ayim is a central witness to the procurement dispute.
The Secretary Crisis: Administrative Bottleneck or Tactical Delay?
The investigation, established by the Presiding Member of the Assembly, has hit a wall due to an administrative crisis.
The individual appointed by the District Coordinating Director to serve as the committee’s Secretary has reportedly refused the appointment. Without a Secretary to record minutes and coordinate proceedings, the committee has been unable to sit.
Within the disability community, this “administrative hitch” is being viewed with deep suspicion. Given that the Coordinating Director is a central figure in the allegations of procurement inflation, her failure to secure a functioning Secretary for the probe is being described by advocates as a “calculated delay” to protect officials before the 15 January deadline.
The Stakes: GH₵40,600 and the Dignity of a Tribe
At the heart of this stalled probe is a significant amount of public money and the survival of local disability organisations. The investigation is meant to uncover the truth behind:
• The procurement of start-up items for 24 vetted entrepreneurs.
• The delay in GH₵27,100 meant for educational support for 12 students.
• The GH₵13,500 in administrative support for the GBU, GFD, and GSPD.
The “Late-Night Chase” and the Demand for Accountability
The GFD leadership maintains that the Assembly’s recent actions—including the “late-night chase” to deliver rotting fish and vegetables to people’s homes—are proof of a broken system.
They argue that the Assembly’s rigid reliance on the Public Procurement Act is merely a shield to bypass the transparency mandated by the Disability Fund Guidelines.
As the 15 January deadline arrives tomorrow, the PWD community is calling for the Presiding Member to intervene, bypass the Coordinating Director’s influence, and appoint an independent Secretary.
For the PWDs of Ada East, this is no longer just about okra and tilapia; it is a battle for the right to be treated with dignity and the right to have their statutory funds managed with absolute transparency.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
