A newly commissioned maternity block at Kpong-Ahudzo in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region has sparked controversy, as community leaders accuse their Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Minister for Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, of attempting to claim credit for a project they say he neither funded nor completed.
What began as a grassroots community initiative—championed by the Queen Mother of Kpong-Ahudzo and a local development committee—has now evolved into a developing corruption scandal involving alleged misuse of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funds, questionable withdrawals, and an attempt to appropriate a donor-funded project for political gain ahead of the 2024 elections.
How the Project Began
According to committee members, the maternity block project was initiated by the Queen Mother of Kpong-Ahudzo, with her husband, Abdul Razak Mohammed Zabadu, serving on the project committee.
With the community lacking proper maternal healthcare facilities, the Queen Mother solicited support from benevolent donors.
The most significant contribution came from Mrs. Abu Dhabi, a philanthropist unrelated to the community, who donated 850 bags of cement—nearly an entire trailer load.
To facilitate proper financial management, the community opened a project account and formally requested the donor university, Ensign Global College, to channel all CSR-related project funds through this account.
The bank was also instructed to procure some building materials directly.
With donor funds secured, the maternity project progressed steadily—until the MP stepped in.
Where the MP Came In: Only 50 Bags of Cement
According to the project committee, the MP’s involvement began only after political intermediaries contacted him during the final months before the 2024 election campaign.
The MP responded by sending 50 bags of cement. “If he disputes it, he should take me to court. I am ready. He brought only 50 bags—5-0,”
said Abdul Razak Mohammed Zabadu.
The cement was delivered by a driver and handed to the Physician Assistant in charge of the clinic.
Committee members insist that this was the only verifiable contribution from the MP.
The NHIS Fund Controversy
The most troubling allegation involves GHS 60,000 drawn from the MP’s NHIS Fund allocation.
Residents recall that during a community event, the MP publicly presented a large dummy cheque of GHS 60,000 as support for the maternity project.
However, the cheque was not backed by immediate funds.
According to the project committee, the MP later sent people—described as family and party associates—to the Municipal Health Directorate claiming they were suppliers of materials.
The Health Director reportedly issued NHIS-funded cheques to these individuals without due diligence.
These alleged suppliers never delivered any materials to the project site.
Part of the money was allegedly given physically to the MP.
The project committee claims they never received a single block, bag of cement, or any equipment purchased from the NHIS fund.
“We have not received anything from that GHS 60,000. The donors completed the project—not the MP,”
said a committee member.
Director Confirms MP Did Not Receive Cash—But Issued Cheques to His People
When questioned, the Municipal Health Directorate confirmed that he did not release physical cash to the MP.
Instead, he issued cheques to individuals whom the MP presented as suppliers.
These individuals were mostly party executives and associates, including the then NDC constituency chairman.
None of the alleged suppliers delivered any materials to the project site, according to the community.
Committee members now question whether the NHIS fund was misappropriated.
Commissioning Ceremony
When the maternity block was finally commissioned, the MP was absent.
However, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), John Atteh Matey, attended and announced: the MP contributed GHS 60,000, 50 bags of cement, and supported the project while in opposition
This public statement infuriated the project’s actual sponsors, who say it is an attempt to distort the truth and claim undeserved credit.
Queen Mother And Community Push Back
According to the Queen Mother’s husband: “The MP is not the one doing the project. He has not given anything—not even a pesewa—apart from the 50 bags of cement. The project belongs to the community and donors, but he is stealing it as his own.”
He added that while he wanted to pursue the issue through CHRAJ or the Office of the Special Prosecutor, he feared becoming a direct complainant.
Outstanding Questions
This developing story raises serious questions:
1. Were NHIS funds illegally diverted?
2. Who withdrew the GHS 60,000 from the NHIS fund, and on whose authority?
3. Why did the Health Directorate issue cheques without verifying suppliers?
4. Did political associates benefit financially?
5. Why did the MCE publicly credit the MP for a project largely funded by donors?
6. Will the MP respond to the allegations?
However, attempts to speak to the Minister for his side of the story proved unsuccessful as calls sent to his phone were not answered.
