The Deputy Minister of Arts, Tourism, and Culture also an aspiring parliamentary candidate in Ayensuano constituency, Mark Okraku Mantey, has returned Ghc50,000 intended for election “operations” after being pursued by angry party executives.
The crux of the matter revolves around the fiscal transactions of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team within Ayensuano constituency.
Initially, the team disbursed Ghc400 to each of the 669 delegates, amassing a substantial sum of Ghc267,600.
In addition to this, a conspicuous Ghc50,000 was availed to the constituency on Friday, November 3, 2023, just a day before the pivotal Presidential Primaries, with the express purpose of being allocated for “operations.”
The release of this “operations cash” triggered a vehement outcry among party executives and delegates.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, found himself at the center of the controversy, alongside the constituency’s first Vice Chairman, Asare Dankwah, as both were accused of attempting to appropriate the funds for personal use, rather than distributing them as intended.
Party executives expressed their discontentment, assigning responsibility to those tasked with managing Dr. Bawumia’s campaign in Ayensuano.
The Deputy Minister of Arts, Tourism, and Culture also an aspiring parliamentary candidate in Ayensuano constituency, Mark Okraku Mantey, has returned Ghc50,000 intended for election “operations” after being pursued by angry party executives.
The crux of the matter revolves around the fiscal transactions of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team within Ayensuano constituency.
Initially, the team disbursed Ghc400 to each of the 669 delegates, amassing a substantial sum of Ghc267,600.
In addition to this, a conspicuous Ghc50,000 was availed to the constituency on Friday, November 3, 2023, just a day before the pivotal Presidential Primaries, with the express purpose of being allocated for “operations.”
The release of this “operations cash” triggered a vehement outcry among party executives and delegates.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, found himself at the center of the controversy, alongside the constituency’s first Vice Chairman, Asare Dankwah, as both were accused of attempting to appropriate the funds for personal use, rather than distributing them as intended.
Party executives expressed their discontentment, assigning responsibility to those tasked with managing Dr. Bawumia’s campaign in Ayensuano.
They argued that this financial mismanagement carried grave consequences on Dr.Bawumia performance in the Constituency.
Samuel Ayeh Paye, former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano, contested Deputy Minister Okraku Mantey’s decision to retain the operation money.
He maintained that these funds were allocated for campaign operations and should not be held for personal use.
Instead, the operation money was meant to be a resource for diverse campaign activities, including addressing logistical challenges.
Youth Organizer Prince Aboagye, a member of Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team in Ayensuano constituency, fervently upheld the management of the funds.
He asserted that the money had been put to effective use in campaign operations and firmly declared that no refunds would be issued.
Aboagye went a step further by challenging the motivations of those advocating for the return of the operation cash.
He emphasized that these funds had already been earmarked for campaign operations and encouraged dissenting voices to take their grievances to court if they believed they had been wronged.
Nevertheless, on November 6, 2023, Prince Aboagye posted an audio message on the party’s platform, reversing his previous stance. He vehemently denied allegations that the funds were intended for bribing delegates and confirmed that the money had been returned. In a surprising twist, he acknowledged Deputy Minister Okraku Mantey as Dr. Bawumia’s campaign coordinator in Ayensuano, suggesting that all funds, including financial support for the police and the Electoral Commission, had been channeled through him, firmly dispelling any notions of bribery.
The Repayment of Funds
Deputy Minister Mark Okraku Mantey on Monday November 6,2023 chose to return the funds, influenced by the need to safeguard his personal reputation and prevent any tarnish to his image.
In his communication with party executives, he clarified that the money was designated for campaign operations, not for distribution to party officials. He underscored that he had personally absorbed the costs incurred during the election.
To quell the confusion surrounding the operation cash, he made the decision to return the funds. He emphasized his desire to prevent any harm to his reputation and clarified that anyone seeking a share should contact the regional office.
Content by: Obed Ansah
