In the midst of these corruption scandals, from AMERI to bus branding and the wanton stashing of public resources into the pockets of the privileged few- it seems another one has taken place on the blind side of Ghanaians.

The government promised the building of 200 community Senor High Schools as part of improving education in the nation- and the project has commenced already with the commissioning of the first two. Magnificent edifices though they are, they might be costing us more than we actually bargained for.

According to this report, government budgeted Ghc 43,095 for the commissioning of the newly constructed Gwiraman Community Senior High School at Bamianko in the Nzema East District of the Western Region.

The commissioning took place in October, and saw President Mahama gushing in the praise of a grateful community. No one would probably have been smiling had they known what had gone into just commissioning a school.

A photo purported to be the budget for the ceremony shows a request for cash, including requests for hiring buses to convey people to the event (presumably party supporters), fuel for the buses. Preparing the grounds (whatever that means), cost the sum of Ghc 1,000 only. Everything was budgeted for, even the scissors to cut the ribbon, at the paltry sum of Ghc 10.

Interestingly, the media’s allowance, commonly known as ‘soli’, also cost us just Ghc 2,000.

In all, Ghana spent Ghc 43,095 to commission one school- which in the current dire straits of our economy sounds like the stupidest use of money ever. But its not like this government has any interest in listening to the pleas of the people- next year’s elections must be won at all costs.