The United Kingdom branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP UK) has denied media reports alleging misappropriation of funds intended to support a strategic communication project for the 2024 general election.
According to the Branch Executive Committee, the recordings in circulation consist of only 30 minutes from a five-hour meeting, which were shared by unknown individuals with the intent of causing disaffection for the branch.
A statement signed by Felix Hamilton, Deputy Secretary of NPP UK, and made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), explained that the chairman had been given the opportunity to account for the funds in a meeting, addressing any doubts about misappropriation. The chairman was able to account for the funds entrusted to him for the seven-week communication strategy, which targeted middle-class voters in Ghana ahead of the election.
The expenditure primarily covered airtime for radio and television, aimed at disseminating messages on the importance of the credit scoring policy in Ghana, the Ghana card, financial inclusion, and the challenges posed by COVID-19 to the economy.
“The chairman further indicated that no funds were diverted or misappropriated.”
A detailed budget breakdown confirmed that every expenditure aligned with the objectives of the campaign, the statement added.
A committee has been set up to investigate the source of the leaked recording, with possible sanctions to follow.
The statement clarified that funds secured for the communication strategy were entirely separate from those allocated for the adopted constituency by the NPP UK branch. “The adopted constituency had its own committee and independent funding managed by the NPP UK Branch Constituency Adoption Committee,” it said.
The statement concluded that the NPP UK Branch remains committed to transparency and accountability, urging all party members and stakeholders to focus on the collective goal of supporting the NPP’s success in uniting and building the party for future success. “Let us not allow these distractions to detract us from the vital work ahead.”
Meanwhile, watch as John Mahama assures Ghanaians to be decisive and swift in his actions