Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Yussif Issah, has revealed how he funded the campaign of former President John Agyekum Kufuor during the December 7 elections in 2000.
Issah was dismissed from his position in 2001 by former President Kufuor after $46,000, intended for Black Stars bonuses, went missing en route to Khartoum. He was subsequently jailed for four years in July 2001.
However, in an interview with Onua TV, the former sports minister disclosed that he facilitated most of the funds used by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in their campaign. He claimed he was a key supporter of the NPP and former President Kufuor during that period.
“The first money I brought was a million dollars. All the monies that were distributed to smaller parties to bring them on board to support the NPP to win the elections — I facilitated them. I can comfortably say that 90% of the money the NPP needed to win the elections came from me. Most of the funds came from Nigeria because there was no one else helping J.A. Kufuor, and his only hope was my contacts. Or let me say, 85% of the money came from me,” he revealed.
Despite his imprisonment for failing to account for the missing $46,000 under the Kufuor administration, the former sports minister insists there are no hard feelings between him and the former president. He also highlighted the high regard Kufuor holds for him.
“The last time we visited J.A. Kufuor’s house, I’ve actually met him about seven times since I came back from prison. When we went, Kufuor told them to protect me because I’m an asset,” he added.
Issah was granted a presidential pardon in July 2003 due to poor health. Since then, he has remained active in the political scene and now serves as the Coordinator for inner-city tribal chiefs and queens in Ghana.
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