Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the member of parliament for the Ashanti region’s Suame district, has refuted allegations made by Kennedy Agyapong, a flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), that he was promised US$800 million in exchange for dropping out of the NPP presidential contest.
In an interview with Okay FM on October 31, 2023, he voiced his doubts on Agyapong’s veracity.
He drew attention to the fact that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had just provided US$600 million in financial support to the entire country as part of a US$3 billion bailout.
The Majority Leader expressed skepticism over the assertion that a single person could have that much money to influence delegates.
“See, the entire country was given 600 million, so that means when the government got the 600 million, we kept it and looked for an additional 200 million to give to our brother Kennedy Agyapong, so where from this?
“Can you imagine that the entire country is seeking 600 from the IMF, and you have 800 million to pay as a bribe, where from this one? I want to let you know that the figure quoted is too unrealistic to be true,” he said.
“800million is more than 9 billion cedis and the contractors that we owe in this country, certified invoices is close to over 10 billion, we don’t even have the money to pay and they have left the roads, so if you have 9 billion, won’t you go and pay the contractors?” he quizzed.
Kennedy Agyapong recently addressed allegations made by Frederick Opare-Ansah, a former member of parliament for Suhum, that he demanded $500 million in yearly contracts from Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in exchange for his resignation as flagbearer.
On Sunday, October 29, 2023, in an interview with Time FM, Ken Agyapong denied the claim and stated that he received an offer of $800 million to withdraw from the party’s campaign for Dr. Bawumia.
Kennedy, along with Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh, will compete for the position of flagbearer.
November 4, 2023 is the date set by the NPP to elect President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s replacement as the party’s leader.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
