The opposition New Patriotic Party has lambasted government over what it says is the latter's obsession with cars. It has subsequently asked the government to concentrate on the key issues of growing the economy, which it says is in a sorry state. Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Nana Akomea, former Minister of Youth and Employment, challenged the government to state in clear terms whether it is abrogating the policy that permits retiring public officials to buy their official cars. “And if they are, they should state whether it will take retroactive effect,” he noted. Flanked by party bigwigs and ex-government officials, Hon Akomea was not the least amused with an ultimatum issued by the Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for ex-government officials to return their cars. Advising the deputy minister to “tone down” his language, Mr. Akomea dismissed accusations that the NPP officials had “looted” state property and were “criminally and illegally” holding on to state vehicles. He explained that ex-government officials in exercising the option to purchase their vehicles, like former NDC officials did in 2001, were in communication with government and had reached different stages of the process, until a directive was issued by the government's transition team for them to hold on with negotiations until further notice. “It therefore came to us as a surprise for the Deputy Minister, Ablakwa, to issue an ultimatum for us to return our cars. It was totally out of the blue,” he stressed. Hon. Akomea said many ex-government officials purchased their vehicles after leaving office in 2001, with some of the vehicles aged less than two years, contrary to stipulations. “The car Mrs Amoako Nuamah was using was 2000 model but she was allowed the option to purchase it and she paid GH¢800.00 for it,” he disclosed. Hon Akomea also dismissed claims that the cars the NPP officials purchased or were negotiating to purchase were undervalued, saying the vehicles were sent to the appropriate state institution, the State Transport Corporation, for the valuation to be done. He finds it ridiculous that government will rather prefer a valuation to be done by an individual stationed in the Castle, Osu, and whose independence could be compromised. He narrated instances in 2001, where the then outgoing NDC government officials paid pittance for their vehicles after the Chief of Staff further reduced by 30 per cent valuations made by this same independent valuer in the Castle. Mr. Akomea also wondered how government was able to revalue cars that were still in the possession of ex-appointees. These concerns not withstanding, the opposition say they are ready to hand over the vehicles if that is what will keep the economy going. “On January 20, 2001, government had concluded with this list of cars and concentrated on serious business, but in 2009, five months on and we are still talking about cars," Hon Akomea lamented. Listen to excerpts of the press conference in the attached audio. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline