Assemblies in the Northern region have been directed to not pay GHS5,000 demanded by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council to prepare for the president’s tour of the region.

The Local Government Ministry, which issued the counter directive said no such payment has been authorized.

Speaking to Joy News, Deputy Local Government Minister, O.B Amoah said “it is not sanctioned, so they should disregard it.”

President Akufo-Addo is expected to begin a seven-day tour of the three regions of the north, beginning today, October 2, 2017.

In a letter that is making the rounds on social media, the Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, Alhassan Issahaku directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to contribute GHS5,000 from their assemblies towards the preparations for a successful tour.

Alhassan Issahaku in the leaked memo urged the MMDCEs to treat the matter with “urgency”.

The letter also added that “Each assembly is required to contribute an amount of five thousand Ghana cedis (GHS5,000) payable by Monday, 2nd October 2017”.

But Mr Amoah said none of the MMDAs should abide by the directive.

He said the Local Government Ministry will soon release a statement on the issue.

The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Sa-eed has also directed the MMDCEs to ignore the directive.

In a statement, he said “I wish to make it clear that the decision, which was arrived at by the MMDCEs themselves and based on precedent, had no official sanction.

It adds that “the President has toured a number of regions since assuming office as President, and all these trips have been funded from the budget of the Office of the President.”

He urged the MMDCEs to “disregard the contents of the earlier letter circulated on social media.”