Concerns raised over how some contractors want to dissipate GETFund

Some staff of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) have expressed concerns about how some political actors have been clandestinely working to get access to funds meant for the development of educational infrastructure and dissipate it under dubious means.

Speaking to Graphic Online on condition of anonymity, they said some of those personalities are contractors whilst others are closely associated with the current government.

The workers have consequently called on the presidency to intervene since even though the current handlers of the GETFund have blocked the avenues for making what they termed as “dubious money,” the people have resorted to lies and wild allegations against the managers of the fund, who have come out with innovative ways to sustain the fund.

They said the recent announcement of some GH¢500million to cater for the needs of the GETFund by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has emboldened the "mischief-makers to go round with lies."

The GETFund is headed by Mr. Richard Boadu as Administrator, while Professor Dominic Fobih is Board Chairman.

The two have been seen as hard nuts by contractors and other people who want to feed fat on the fund because they always insist on things being done right.

Graphic Online has gathered that some persons close to the current administration had gone to the extent of going to the Office of the Vice President with lies about the GETFund handlers, but they were not entertained.

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was said to have told them that the Presidency has full confidence in the current handlers of the GETFund.

For the first time, a novelty to have all arrears owed contractors settled, old projects completed and new ones developed, has been designed by the administrator, the workers said.

Government, through the GETFund, is yet to make final decisions on what to use the GH¢500million.

Members of the Board of Trustees of GETFund

The Board, with Professor Dominic Fobih as its Chairman and Mr Richard Boadu as Administrator of the Fund, has the following members: Mr Emmanuel Kofi Nti, representing the Ghana Revenue Authority, Professor Abdulai Salifu Asare from the universities/polytechnics, Professor Mohammed Salifu representing the National Council for Tertiary Education and Mr Enoch H. Cobbinah from the Ministry of Education.

The others are Mr Charles A. Atuahene from the Association of Ghana Industries, Mr Emmanuel Addo from the Ghana Employers Association, Rev. Dr K. O. Frimpong representing the religious bodies, Mr Paul Apanga from the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Mr Daniel Asiedu from the Association of Bankers.

The rest are Madam Eva Essabi Mends from the Ministry of Finance, Mr Michael Nsowa representing the Ghana Education Service, a representative each from the National Union of Ghana Students and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Aretha Abena Abrafi Duku representing insurers and a representative from the Finance House.

Read also: Initiate visionary policies to propel GETFund - Minister tells Board of Trustees