The Akatsi South Municipal Assembly has suspended its Acting Director of Social Welfare, Felix Sagah, following allegations that allowances meant for personnel who supported the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme were not disbursed.
The suspension follows a petition submitted by Assembly Members who served as focal persons during the implementation of the programme. The petition alleges that allowances amounting to GH¢34,100, intended for 341 focal persons, remain unpaid despite funds reportedly being released for the exercise.
The allowances were earmarked for individuals who participated in the identification and re-enrolment of vulnerable beneficiaries under the LEAP programme in April 2026.
Speaking on the matter, the Municipal Chief Executive for Akatsi South, Daniel Dagba, said the Assembly launched inquiries after receiving complaints from the affected Assembly Members.
According to him, Mr. Sagah initially informed the Assembly that the funds had been credited to his E-Zwich account and that he intended to withdraw and distribute the money within two weeks.
“He said he had the money on his E-Zwich card and was going to withdraw it in two weeks to pay them. April passed, May passed, and we are now in June,” Mr. Dagba explained.
The Municipal Chief Executive said the Acting Social Welfare Director was subsequently invited to respond to the allegations. During the engagement, he reportedly indicated that he had already begun making payments to the beneficiaries.
“He told us he had started paying the beneficiaries. So we quickly suspended him and asked him to step aside,” Mr. Dagba stated.
To establish the facts surrounding the matter, the Assembly has constituted an investigative committee chaired by the Internal Auditor. The committee has been tasked with examining payment records, verifying claims made by both parties, and determining whether the focal persons received their allowances.
Mr. Dagba disclosed that the committee is expected to begin its work this week and will invite the Assembly Members to present evidence supporting their claims.
He further stated that should the committee fail to verify that the payments were made, Mr. Sagah would be required to ensure that the outstanding GH¢34,100 is paid to the affected beneficiaries.
“If the committee is not satisfied with the documents provided, it will ask him to pay the GH¢34,100 so the focal persons can be paid,” he added.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to determine the next course of action and whether any further administrative or disciplinary measures will be taken.