Sammi Awuku, Senior Adviser to the Dr Mahamudu Bawumia Campaign Team and Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has firmly denied allegations that the Bawumia campaign distributed money to delegates to influence their votes in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries.
The denials come amid circulating claims and social media videos where some delegates alleged they were promised or waiting to receive cash inducements from certain flagbearer camps. In particular, videos showed delegates claiming they were to receive GH¢700 from the camp of Dr Bryan Acheampong before casting their ballots.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Breakfast Show with host Bernard Avle on Monday, February 2, Mr Awuku categorically stated that he was not aware of any such payments from the Bawumia camp.
“I haven’t been part of any meeting where we agreed that monies should be given to delegates. If it’s about ferrying somebody from one point to the voting centre, I don’t think that is part of buying the votes of delegates,” he said.
He emphasized that providing logistical support, such as transportation, differs from outright vote-buying. Drawing from his own experience, Mr Awuku explained: “In my constituency, they will tell you straight that our MP provided us with a bus to convey at least those who are coming from far places. So, I supported them to come and vote.”
Mr Awuku added that any such support in other areas may have come from individuals acting independently, stating: “Maybe not from the centre that I know of, unless people decided to support on their own.”
He warned that when financial incentives become the primary basis for voting decisions, it poses a grave danger to Ghana’s democracy. “Where I think it is wrong is when it becomes the focus on which a decision to vote is made, then it becomes very dangerous to our democracy,” he cautioned.
The MP stressed that delegates in his area were encouraged to vote according to their conscience. “I was clear in my mind, and I told them to vote according to their conscience,” he noted.
In light of the allegations, Mr Awuku called on the NPP’s Presidential Primaries Committee to thoroughly investigate the claims and give the implicated camps the chance to respond and clear their names.