Ghana Spends GH₵62m On Rent for Missions Abroad

The rental of property for Ghanaian missions abroad for 2017 has cost the state an amount of GH₵62, 455,720.14, which is approximately $14m.

According to a report by the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament, the amount covers some 52 missions in Africa, America, East Europe, Asia and Europe.

In Africa for instance, the committee’s report indicated that an amount of $393,000 was paid as rent in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, making it the most expensive rental payment among the 23 African cities with Ghana’s missions.

In the Americas, Washington was the most expensive, costing the nation $514,000 and in Eastern Europe and Asia, Beijing was the most expensive, costing Ghana some $484, 583.73.

Again, in Europe, Ghana through the Foreign Affairs Ministry paid $1.4m as rent in Geneva, Switzerland.

Meanwhile Parliament has approved GH₵456, 196,950 in budget estimate for the implementation of the Ministry’s programmes and activities in 2018.

Approving the budget, Members of Parliament expressed varied concerns about the cost of rental payments for missions abroad. Some of the lawmakers, led by Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, consequently urged the Ministry to work towards securing permanent properties in the countries Ghana has missions in.

The report also indicated that the Ministry intends renovating a number of properties in some selected missions whiles in others it is working at acquiring new properties.

A total of 31 missions have been cited for the renovation exercise.

Parliament also appealed to the Finance Ministry to, as a matter of urgency, release monies to the Ministry to enable it complete the renovation exercises on time.

By: Christian Kpesese/ thePublisher