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06.01.2014 Feature Article

Corruption in NPP should be investigated thoroughly

Corruption in NPP should be investigated thoroughly
06.01.2014 LISTEN

The New Patriotic party is the biggest opposition party in Ghana as of now. They ruled Ghana from 2001 to 2008. During their tenure in office, NPP were accused of series of corrupt practices which were not investigated thoroughly.

The recently publicised GYEEDA report shows apparent unavailability of contracts from 2006 to 2008 during the NPP era. This made it difficult to have evidence to prosecute perpetrators of such corrupt practices.

NPP embarked on a sale of government properties under strange circumstances. Drill ship D511 was sold without the involvement of GNPC, the custodians of Drill Ship D511. A cheque of $3.5 million dollars from the sale of the drill ship cannot be traced in any of the GNPC accounts. How the money was spent is still a mystery. Moreover, all documents on the drill ship are yet to be traced.

Under the leadership of President Kuffour who was also a leader of NPP party, most leading members of the party like Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey bought state property at ridiculous prices. Others like K. T. Hammond, Mr Osei Kuffour, Oboshie Sai-Coffie, Mrs Georgina Wood, Irene Addo, J. H. Mensah, Mr S.K. Boafo, etc.bought state lands at ridiculously low prices.

An interesting incident was when former speaker of parliament under NPP administration ransacked his bungalow when he was leaving office.

The leader of the NPP party between 2001 and 2008, former President Kuffour used “tax payers” money to refurbish his personal property when he assumed office in 2001. This high level of naked corrupt practice was brushed under the carpet.

Mr. Haruna Essieku, a leading member of the NPP openly criticised the NPP government of collecting bribes 'kick backs' at the seat of government presided over by former president Kuffour.

Another leading member of the NPP and former presidential aspirant who served as Minister of finance under NPP government, Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo used the postal address of a hair dresser's saloon in the UK as an address of creditors to contract the infamous CST loan for Ghana.

Ghana at 50 celebration witnessed corruption at an unprecedented level likewise CAN 2006.

The sale of Vodafone is another corrupt practice Ghanaians are still struggling to forgive NPP. A leading member of NPP and former member of parliament, DCOP Appiah Ofori made it clear that NPP government paid $5000 to their members of parliament who were present in parliament and voted to approve that suspicious Vodafone deal.

Mr Anane Forson, former NPP constituency Chairman made it clear on Adom FM in an interview on 'Eko sii sen' program that Isofoton were expected to pay 12% before they could be given a contract they had already spent money on. This led to payment of judgement debt.

All these instances, happened under the NPP government, yet former president Kuffour did nothing about them and told Ghanaians that corruption started from the days of Adam.

Dr Konadu Apraku, a leading member of NPP and the campaign manager for Nana Akuffo-Addo, NPP presidential candidate in 2008 presidential elections is alleged to have embezzled money which was meant for the campaign. An allegation he has denied.

Another damning revelation of corruption in NPP party is the recent embezzlement of funds by some executive members of the NPP.

According to Mr. Agyapong, the leadership of the party, led by Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, Women's Organizer, Otiko Afisah Djaba and others, holding National Executive positions need to be removed, because they have squandered funds and resources meant for the party's activities.

Ken Agyapong, accused the current Executives at the Constituency, Regional and National levels of hoarding motorbikes, he personally donated to the party's campaign, which he is yet to pay for and are now being distributed to people by way of bribe.

He specifically accused his party's National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey of embezzling a GH¢100,000, he personally donated to the party.

According to Mr Agyapong, he willingly gave out GH¢100,000 to 2012 NPP flag-bearer, Nana Akuffo Addo who is said to have used part of the money and gave the rest to Gabby Otchere Darko another staunch NPP member to be sent back to Mr Agypong. However, it is alleged that Gabby and Nana Fredua pocketed the money.

Corruption in the NPP was not only prevalent in Ghana, It has spread to its branches in the diaspora as well, especially here in the UK.

Mr. Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang and Asante Bekwai-Asakyiri who are leading members of NPP UK have revealed that there is no transparency when it comes to financial management of the Branch. They gave instances where the chairman sidelined the second signatory to the branch account and teamed up with the third signatory to withdraw money which has still not been accounted for.

According to him during the 2012 general elections, a whopping £50,000 was expended by the Branch. When probed further to explain how the money was spent, Mr. Atta Krufi, the chairman of the NPP party in the UK revealed that £20,000 was donated to the 2012 National Campaign Team in Accra, however, there is no evidence that such money was sent to Ghana.

Another serious revelation was that, £5,000 was shared between UK Executives of NPP during their trip to Ghana for the December 2012 elections without the approval of Branch members.

Mr Atta Krufi the current chairman of the NPP UK who is also contesting for re-election is alleged by Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang and Asante Bekwai-Asakyiri to have used £1700 of the party's funds anytime he visits Ghana as well as pocketing £500 as monthly allowance while in Ghana.

It is against this background that we members of the NDC UK and Ireland Chapter call for an independent inquiry into these corrupt malpractices in NPP to cleanse itself of corruption and to ensure that Ghana has a credible opposition party to put government in check.

Michael Frempong
Public Relations Officer
NDC UK & Ireland Chapter.
5th January, 2014

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