The Ministry of Information says the GHC150,000 paid to some staff of the Ministry during the COVID-19 lockdown was to motivate them.
According to the Ministry, the risks staff had to go through needed some motivation.
This follows concerns raised by the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu in his COVID-19 transactions report for the period March 2020 to June 2022, questioning the basis for such payment.
But the Director of Finance and Monitoring at the Ministry of Information, Mawuli Segbefia, said the money was meant to boost staff morale.
“Mr Chair, we were required to submit our implementation plan and budget to the Ministry of Health and the bank for approval, which we complied with. The plan contained all activities to be implemented plus all allowances due to officers who implemented them.
“So, yes, Mr Chairman the plan was submitted to the bank, and Ministry of Health and duly approved before implementation commenced. The allowances were part of the plan submitted to the Ministry of Health for approval,” the Director of Finance and Monitoring at the Ministry of Information stated.
