The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has stated that, Government has stopped the acquisition process due to the high cost as raised by the Minority over purchase of a building for use as a chancery for Ghana’s mission in Norway.
According to her, no pesewa was spent on the building.
“I’ve directed our officials in Norway to go and rent for now and stop the buying process for us to do further consultations,” she made this known at the news conference, after the Minority led by MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who on the floor challenged her and accused the government for inflated transaction.
On the document titled, Oslo Chancery Building: Summary of facts in relation to a six bedroom residence being converted into a Chancery for Ghana’s new Mission in Norway, the Minority said, “records show that the previous buyer Lillian Olsson bought the property in 2014 for 25,250,000.00 Norwagian Kroner (NOK) to unknown buyer for NOK 31,000,000.00-equivalent to US$ 3, 598,108.00.”
And, “Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has made presentation to parliament’s select committee on foreign Affairs that Ghana is purchasing this same building at a staggering NOK 105,180,000-equivalent to US$12,218,487.13.”
According to the Minority, the Ministry appears to have inflated the cost of the property by a whopping US$8,620,379.13.
In a related development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has attempted to slap the Member of Parliament for Ningo/Prampram for allegedly filming her.
The furious Minister who is also an MP for Anyaa /Sowutuom walked to slap him but her colleague used his hands to block her.
The “unparliamentary” action attracted other MPs who came to rescue the MP from her as she descended on him aggressively.
The unpleasant scene took place at the main entrance of the Speaker’s lobby when the said Minister was interacting with Okudzeto Ablakwa on the Oslo Chancery Building saga.
Meanwhile, the Minister has denied any attempt to beat up her colleague.
“I have made no attempt to beat anybody, was however, daring Sam George to go and report to the privileges committee.”
Story by Edzorna Francis Mensah.
