Gabby Otchere Darko, a key figure in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has publicly apologised to former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, retracting a previous claim about her land ownership. This comes after Osei firmly refuted his insinuation that she had benefitted from public lands, following a contentious social media exchange.
The controversy began during a debate between Gabby Otchere Darko and North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Ablakwa had accused Gabby and his wife of acquiring state lands near the Asaase radio station under questionable circumstances. In response, Gabby denied the allegations and attempted to redirect attention by suggesting that John Mahama had facilitated the removal of public service workers from land near Asaase, which he claimed had been acquired by Charlotte Osei.
Osei swiftly dismissed the claim, taking to Twitter to call Gabby out for spreading misinformation. She clarified that she had purchased the land in a private transaction from a seller named Berchie in 2007, long before the events in question.
“Rich of you to complain about being lied to and yet tell blatant lies about another person. Please sue Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. I would love to do the same. I have never benefitted from public lands. Do the same search and find out. I bought my land in a commercial transaction in 2007. Stop the lies, Gabby Otchere Darko, and stop dragging me into your nonsense. You know the truth. Stop this. It is unfair, and you know it,” she tweeted.
Following her response, Gabby Otchere Darko publicly acknowledged his mistake. He stated that Charlotte Osei had privately messaged him to clarify that her land near the Asaase building was acquired through a legitimate private purchase in 2007. In light of this, he retracted his earlier statement and issued an apology.
“I’ve received a private message from Mrs. @char_osei clarifying that her land, which is close to the Asaase building, was purchased privately, like the property occupied by Asaase, from a private person, Berchie, back in 2007. Apologies for any reference erroneously attributed to her and retraction of the same,” he posted.
While this exchange appears to have resolved the dispute between Gabby and Osei, the broader debate over alleged misuse of state lands continues, with Ablakwa maintaining his accusations against politically connected individuals.
