I didn't say I will pay double but I will pay more - NPP MP defends stance on campaign finances
The Member of Parliament for Bibiani-Ahnwiaso-Bekwai in the Western North region, Alfred Obeng-Boateng has defended his recent statements regarding campaign funding for the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries scheduled for February 2024.
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In a widely circulated audio clip, he expressed his willingness to offer financial assistance to delegates in his constituency to rival any offers made by his political opponents.
Mr. Obeng-Boateng affirmed his readiness to provide up to GH₵20,000 to each of the over 2,000 delegates in the area. He stated that he possessed substantial financial resources in dollars, capable of matching or surpassing any potential offers from his competitors.
NPP Parliamentary Primaries: Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai MP stacks dollars to outdo opponents in anticipated ‘VOTE BUYING SHOWDOWN’ #CitiNewsroom pic.twitter.com/sRlYUpF97N
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) October 24, 2023
Addressing the leaked audio tape in an interview, Mr. Obeng-Boateng defended his remarks while also noting that certain portions of the tape had been edited.
He clarified that his intention was to offer more than what others might propose, not necessarily double the amount.
“I don’t know who said double, [but] I said I was willing to pay more than they intend doing but not double,” Mr Obeng-Boateng said in an interview with Citi News.
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Furthermore, he emphasized that he held his funds in dollars and reiterated that there was no impropriety in possessing dollar accounts.
He emphasized that having dollars should not be misconstrued as hoarding or engaging in illicit activities.
“Well, I said that as somebody who plans ahead as somebody who knows what he is doing…I should be prepared by now…they are talking about bringing their foreign partners to transfer dollars, and I equally have dollars in Ghana here. The dollar is not a contraband item, the dollar is not cocaine, and the dollar is a currency that we spend in Ghana, various people have dollar accounts, cedi accounts and euro accounts.
“I have kept my money in dollars and I don’t see any news in this and I don’t see why this should be misconstrued if I have kept money in dollars it means that the dollars have been hoarded or packed in my bedroom.”
Mr. Obeng-Boateng firmly stated that his comments were intended as a deterrent against potential competition and not an attempt to buy votes. He believed that his statements did not warrant an investigation by any regulatory agency, such as the Special Prosecutor.
According to him, his remarks underscored his financial readiness for the upcoming campaign and his dedication to securing the support of delegates in his constituency.