The Aggrieved Gold Coast Customers have expressed concerns over the proposed GHC9 billion payment by the Special Committee of Parliament to over 61,000 customers.
Charles Nyame, a leader of the Aggrieved Customers, disclosed that the total amount of money that the customers are to be paid is a above Ghc4 billion; hence, the proposed Ghc9 billion by the Committee of Parliament raises fundamental questions.
The cost of the banking sector clean-up is set to increase to GH₵34 billion following a recommendation by Parliament for some 61,000 customers of defunct Gold Coast Fund Management.
The customers petitioned parliament to intervene in their matter since efforts to chase after their locked-up funds proved futile.
Per the recommendation by the committee, the government is expected to spend an amount of GH₵9 billion to settle these customers.
The government had already spent GH₵25 billion on the clean-up exercise, according to former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Mr. Nyame stated that they are still seeking payment for their locked-up funds and will take various actions to demand their money.
He, however, expressed worry over the cost of the banking and financial sector clean-up exercise, highlighting that the process used by Ghana was an avenue for stealing state funds.
He told Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 86.5FM that because our leaders were corrupt and self-centred and had an agenda to steal, they inflated the cost of the banking sector clean-up by collapsing the various savings and loan companies, microfinance companies, and others.
Mr. Charles Nyame said the goverbembt had already spent Ghc25 billion in the clean-up exercise and have again proposed an additional Ghc9 billion to pay Gold Coast Fund customers.
“When it comes to Gold Coast Fund Managers, the total amount they have to pay us is over Ghc4 billion, but they have proposed and are seeking clearance for Ghc9 billion. Some officials intend to use the remaining funds for personal gain. This is an obvious chop-chop agenda. When we express these things, we are accused of engaging in politics. Ghanaians must be worried about these issues.
It is our responsibility to call our leaders to account. Some of our leaders are using dubious means to steal our taxpayers money, and we have to rise up and resist this attempt.”
He went on to state that in the 2024 budget, it was captured that an amount of GHC 4 billion had been allocated to pay customers.
“Later, they claimed an amount of GHC 1.5 billion had been paid, but as I speak to you, you have not received a penny from them. Our members keep dying, and so we can no longer sit unconcerned.”
He said, “We are appealing to Ghanaians to join us in this fight.” Even if you are not a customer, you should be concerned since certain leaders seek to exploit customers as a way to steal from taxpayers or to inflate the cost of the payment while pocketing the rest. The money involved might be utilised to build schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure projects. We cannot allow a few greedy politicians to utilise the financial sector cleanup exercise to steal from us.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
