Hajj Village Project Is Fruitless And Wasteful – Daniel Domelevo

Daniel Domelevo, the former Auditor General, has raised concerns over the government’s decision to prioritize the construction of a Hajj Village, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding public expenditure. His comments come in response to claims by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, that the project is being funded entirely by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and does not involve taxpayer money.

Domelevo, however, disputes this assertion, emphasizing that the GACL is a state-owned enterprise, meaning it is wholly owned and controlled by the government of Ghana. He argues that any funds used by the GACL ultimately belong to the state and, by extension, the taxpayers.

“The Ghana Airports Company Limited is a state-owned enterprise, which means it has no shareholders or the government owns the majority of the shares. The GACL is owned and controlled by the government of Ghana,” Domelevo stated.

He expressed astonishment that the government would prioritize such a project, especially at a time when the country is still grappling with the fallout from the alleged mismanagement of $58 million in public funds for the controversial national cathedral project.

“It is truly astonishing—especially as we grapple with recovering over $58 million squandered on the national cathedral project—that one of the key priorities of the Mahama administration is the fruitless and wasteful Hajj Village project,” Domelevo remarked.

Government’s Clarification on Hajj Village Funding

The debate over the Hajj Village project has been ongoing, with Felix Kwakye Ofosu seeking to clarify the funding arrangements. According to the Minister, the project is being financed through internally generated funds from the GACL and does not involve any taxpayer money.

In a social media post, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “FACT: The Hajj Village is primarily an Airport Terminal Building for check-in and pilgrim facilitation, owned and being built by the Ghana Airport Company. Not a pesewa of taxpayers’ money is involved.”

Public Skepticism and Broader Concerns

Despite the government’s assurances, Domelevo’s comments reflect broader public skepticism about the allocation of resources and the transparency of government projects. Critics argue that state-owned enterprises like the GACL are ultimately funded by public money, whether directly or indirectly, and that such projects should be subject to rigorous scrutiny.

The controversy also highlights the tension between government priorities and public expectations. With many Ghanaians still reeling from the economic impact of past expenditures, questions are being raised about the necessity and timing of the Hajj Village project.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com