Tutors of the Akatsi Secondary Technical School have petitioned the Serious Fraud Office, (SFO) to investigate the headmaster) of the school for financial impropriety and non-compliance to procurement regulations.

Edward Lokoja Doe Nuworkpor, who has headed the school for the past 19 years, is alleged to have unilaterally hijacked a whooping amount of GII¢ 10,000 from the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) Projects Fund to complete his so called hostel facility near the school without any contractual agreement to spell out the modalities for repayment and interest.

A petition, which was addressed to the Executive Director of SFO and sighted by Daily Guide, noted that Mr Nuworkpor asked first year students to pay an amount of GH¢174.00 and GH¢99.00 for the second and third year students respectively as PTA dues.
"In spite of these huge monies charged, there is no monumental development, transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the PTA dues in the school," it noted.

’The six-page document, which was signed by 30 tutors of the school, also accused the headmaster of presenting fraudulent financial statement, which was supposed to have been audited by the appointed auditors of the PTA.

The tutors accused the headmaster of misusing 360 bags of cement that was donated by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Doe Adjaho and also demanding two bags of cement or the payment of GH¢30.00 from fresh students.

They also alleged that in December 2009, two boreholes were constructed with¬out competitive bidding that cost GH¢7, 500 each, noting that the headmaster quoted GH9, 600 as the cost for the construction of the borehole.

They revealed that Mr. Nuworkpor removed the water meter from the premises of school to the new board¬ing hostel near the Science block, which he is financing with his ill-gotten money.

It is also on record that Mr Nuworkpor, in 2008 supplied three air conditioners at the cost of GH¢6, 775.00, a development that is yet to be understood by the PTA.

Under the Procurement Law (Act 633), every public institution is obliged to form appropriate tender board; which is legally mandated to open tender for competitive biding for contracts, purchase of items, among others.

However, the headmaster of Akatsi Senior High Technical School, in his own wisdom, relegated this procurement law to the background by purchasing items at his own volition.

When contacted via mobile phone, Mr Nuworkpor, who sounded snobbish, said he was not prepared to talk to any journalist until the Regional Director of Education gives him permission.

Daily Guide/DS

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