IPADA-G claims all funds received from Government since 2018 have been audited

…willing to have an independent auditor recheck documents

The International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G) says its spending of approximately half a billion dollars has been comprehensively audited by the Central Internal Audit Unit of the Ministry of Finance.

This was detailed in a letter sent by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDPADA-G, Olive Sampson, on Friday to Culture Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr.
The Minister had written Sampson on Wednesday last, requesting the organisation to submit all financial records detailing how it spent some $500 million in State funds it had received since 2018.
In response, the IDPADA-G CEO noted that the entity commits to accountability for every cent received from any source. Adding that from the inception they have been accountable, Sampson indicated the organisation has already been audited by the Finance Ministry’s Internal Unit for the period January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021.
“Since that audit investigated receipts and disbursement of funds by IDPADA-G, it fully investigated the ‘concerns’ raised in your request to us. Therefore, all financial records you seek for the period 2018 – 2021 were submitted to that Government audit team,” the correspondence detailed.
It went on state that the audit report has established that IDPADA-G’s disbursement of funds was “proper and without cause for reprimand.”
“The findings of the audit from 2018 to 2021 provided guidance on minor changes to internal processes that have since been implemented,” the CEO explained.
Nevertheless, Sampson, in the interest of accountability, submitted a copy of the audit for the period 2018 through 2021 entitled ‘Investigation into Receipt and Disbursement of Funds by IDPADA – Guyana’.

She further pointed out in the correspondence that the only period for which receipts and disbursements by IDPADA-G have not been audited is January 1, 2022 to present – a period of eight months.
“We are aware of the legal provisions for financial exposures and audits of entities such as IDPADA-G Inc. However, as further demonstration of IDPADA-G’s commitment to accountability, we are prepared, in this instance, to submit the relevant records to an independent auditor although statutorily this period is not due for an audit.
“We are ready to engage the appropriate government agency to mutually agree on such an independent auditor and the necessary terms of reference for the period January 1, 2022 to the present. We look forward to meaningful engagement that would assuage your concerns,” the IDPAGA-G CEO outlined in response to the Culture Minister.

Submit financial records
In light of recent disclosures in the public, Minister Charles had asked for all financial records from IDPADA-G including, but not limited to, payment vouchers, payroll, contracts, and receipts for all monies spent for the fiscal years from 2018 to the present date.
The Minister contended that the funds allocated to IDPADA-G is for the benefit and empowerment of as many Afro-Guyanese as possible. But Ramson said the recent disclosures caused “grave concerns” that required closer examination.
At a press conference two weeks ago, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had raised questions about the spending of nearly half a billion dollars in State funds by the organisation and challenged IDPADA-G to show the monies were used uplift Afro-Guyanese.
But during a subsequent press briefing, IDPADA-G Chairman Vincent Alexander defended the organisation against Jagdeo’s assertions, stating that he is not paid for his work and that the Vice President is trying to vilify the entity.
“We are proud of the fact that we are able to fund the night schools which have brought back children into the loop of the education system. This we do in Georgetown and in the Corentyne. So that’s another instance of the outreach.”
“And many people would know of the work that was done in the Mocha Arcadia market day, which we also funded. Many people would know of the exhibitions we have had, at Square of the Revolution and the avenue,” Alexander said, describing this as physical manifestations of their work.
The organisation also sent out a statement in which it further defended itself and detailed more of its work. While they did not deny that staff were paid $42 million in 2020 as Jagdeo had laid out, IDPADA-G explained that staff provide a myriad of services to the African-Guyanese community.
But in response, the Vice President contended that Alexander’s statements left more questions than answers. Jagdeo posed the questions in his statement, such as questions on how much of the $100 million IDPADA-G received annually since 2019 was spent on salaries and details on those that were paid.
“First off let me state that I have absolutely no intention of apologising to Vincent Alexander and he is free to take whatever course of action he wishes. Afro-Guyanese still remain in the dark as it relates to the benefits of the close to half a billion dollars utilised. He should therefore provide details on the following.”
“How much of the $100 million allocated annually since 2019 and $68 million in 2018 was spent on paying salaries, who are individuals that were paid, what amounts were they being paid and how were they selected? How much of that sum was spent on rental, who owns the buildings rented, and what process was used for the selection of the buildings?” Jagdeo questioned.
Meanwhile, after this issue of its spending was brought to light, IDPADA-G last week disclosed that it distributed grant awards, valued at $100,000 each, to nine member organisations on Friday. A total of 24 projects were approved for grants to support community-based initiatives that aim to promote justice, recognition, and sustainable development within the African Guyanese community.  (G8)