¢200k spent on Kundum Festival was refunded – Catherine Afeku

Former Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture says the ministry under her tenure did not misappropriate GH¢200,000 as cited in the Auditor-General’s report.

According to her, the money drawn from the Marine Drive Project and later used for the Kundum Festival in 2018 was refunded.

Speaking to CitiNews, she explained that the money was used for the festival only because the budget allocated for it had been delayed adding that she sought approval from cabinet to use the funds.

“Festivals are time-bound so when it is getting closer and your approved allocation is not in, the Chief Directors have the mandate to do what they call virement, and when the approved funding comes for the specific line item, you put these things back. There is no such thing as malfeasance or misappropriation,” she said.

Catherine Afeku’s comment comes after the Auditor-General revealed that funds meant for the Marine Drive Project were misapplied the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture under the leadership of Catherine Afeku.

The amount, GH¢387,196, was used to celebrate the 2018 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Kundum Festival, the Minister’s trip to Volta and Western regions, and other activities.

The details provided, showed that an amount of GH¢100,000 was paid to Palm Media Ghana Ltd. for the launch of AFRIMA 2018, held from May 17, 2018, to May 19, 2018.

Also, GH¢200,000 was released to support the Kundum Festival held from September 1 to 9, 2018.

The Auditor-General recommended that the Chief Director should ensure a refund from the operations account into the Marine Drive project account adding that “failing which the amount should be recovered from the Chief Director.”