EC Deputy Chair asked to proceed on leave for EOCO investigations into missing funds

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has commenced investigations into alleged misapplication of staff endowment funds at the Electoral Commission (EC).

Consequently, the Deputy Chairperson in Charge of Corporate Services, Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, has been asked to proceed on leave, Graphic Online has gathered.

Also asked to proceed on leave is the Chief Accountant, Mr Kwaku Owusu Agyei-Larbi and Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, the Director of Finance.

EOCO in a letter dated, July 4, 2017 addressed to the EC Chairperson, Mrs Charlotte Osei demanded that the three be made to proceed on leave to pave way for investigations into “the loss of about GH¢480,000 from the Endowment Fund at the Electoral Commission.”

The letter said the three were key persons to assist with the investigations.

The letter was signed by ACP Mr. K.K. Amoah (retired), acting Executive Director of EOCO.

There has been an uneasy calm at the commission since last year over the staff endowment fund.

Some staff who have retired and did not receive their payments promptly raised red flags whilst others said they received something lesser than what they were entitled to.

There were some explanations that the funds had been invested and that it had to mature before payments could be made. 

The agitations from some staff therefore triggered the EOCO investigations, Graphic Online gathers. 

Tension among commissioners

Meanwhile, Graphic Online has also gathered that there was friction between the chairperson, Mrs Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Mr Amadu Sulley, in charge of Operations and Madam Georgina Opoku Amankwaa in charge of Corporate Services.

The disagreement is partly due to the endowment fund issue and some funds which were allocated for renovation of a new head office office for the EC at Ridge in Accra.

Whilst the renovation is completed and Mrs Osei want the staff including the two deputy chairpersons to move there, the two are reluctant to move.

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh

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