NDC demands independent audit into alleged theft of EC laptops

Isaac Adongo, the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee in Parliament, has expressed concerns over the recent staff review conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Ghana’s three-year Extended Facility Programme.

Despite the IMF’s positive evaluation, which positions Ghana to receive the third tranche of $360 million from the total $3 billion IMF bailout package, Adongo has questioned the true state of the nation’s economy.

While the fund has commended Ghana for its performance, citing key indicators that suggest the programme’s effectiveness, Adongo remains sceptical about the actual conditions on the ground.

Ghana is on track to pass the management executive board review, which would result in the release of the third tranche of $360 million from the $3 billion package.

In response to the IMF’s report indicating Ghana’s strong performance, Adongo expressed reservations in an interview with Citi News, emphasizing the disparity between the IMF’s assessment and the realities faced by Ghanaians.

Adongo’s scepticism extends to the IMF’s role as a consultant, suggesting that consultants rarely acknowledge the failure of their advice.

He highlighted that while the IMF may not directly engage with the local market, surveys indicate a worsening inflation rate, a stark contrast to the IMF’s positive review.

“In response to this dire situation, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has laid down clear and non-negotiable demands to ensure the sanctity of our electoral system.

“An official written response to the 35 critical questions posed by the NDC at the IPAC meeting addressing the status and the recovery effort regarding the stolen biometric devices.

“We demand an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the theft of the BVR laptops and the related biometric equipment, including a forensic audit of the voter’s register.  This investigation, as we said, must be conducted by an independent body and supplemented with international observers to ensure neutrality and trust. The outcome must be a detailed report that not only identifies the people who are responsible but also outlines significant corrective measures to prevent such breaches in the future,” he stated.

Additionally, the NDC is calling for a comprehensive audit of the EC’s inventory and security protocols, covering all BVR and BVD equipment, to be performed by an independent auditor.

“We call for a complete audit into the EC’s inventories and security measures. This inventory encompasses all BVRs and BVD equipment and must be carried out by an independent auditor to ensure the integrity of all electoral materials,” the General Secretary added.