Mutaka to be fired

President John Evans Atta Mills is reported to have summoned the minister of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Mohammed Mutaka Mubarak to the Castle on Wednesday following allegations of misappropriating funds belonging to the state, according to Asempa Fm, an Accra based radio station.

The report indicated that the President together with some top government officials queried the minister bordering on monies he has collected from one Mr. Anim Adom, principal accountant of the ministry since assuming office a couple of months ago.

It is reported that during Mr. Mutaka’s deliberations with the President, he failed to provide relevant answers to some of the issues that came up, attracting condemnation and unpleasant comments from President and some of the members on the panel, who thought the minister did not not diligently discharge his duties as expected off him.

Consequently, President Mills reiterated his government’s commitment and determination to prosecute any member of his government who indulge in corrupt practice, implying that he would not hesitate to prosecute Mr. Mubarak if found culpable of any corrupt practice. It is believed that the President’s meeting with the minister lasted for almost four hours.

According to the station, Alhaji Mohammed Mutaka Mubarak since assuming office has collected several monies from his accountant without following due process, compelling Mr. Adom to formally send a  report containing all the amount the minister had allegedly collected from him to the Chief of staff, who then summoned the minister to the Castle for interrogation.

Alhaji Mubarak submitted an invoice of $2000 to the accountant for refund of an air ticket he purchased for Zenabu, a lady who happens to be his girl friend when both travelled to Abidjan to watch the final game against the Black Stars and their counterpart from Congo DR. in the CHAN tournament.

Signed for $2000 as per-diem in respect of the Black Stars game against Benin in Kumasi instead of $1200. He collected $1000 from the accountant to seek spiritual help from "Malams" to enable the Black Stars win their game against Benin in their world cup qualify game. He again ordered the accountant to pay him $1000 to him as expenses incurred when his wife travelled from Kumasi to visit him in Accra. it is alleged that the minister has allocated a VW Passat belonging to government to his wife without the approval of the ministry.