Senior Adviser to the Bawumia Campaign Team and Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has rejected allegations that the campaign of former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia offered money to delegates to influence voting during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) recent presidential primaries.
His response comes after some delegates at selected polling centres claimed they had been promised cash by coordinators associated with certain flagbearer camps.
In videos circulating on social media, several delegates alleged that they were expecting to receive GH¢700 from Dr Bryan Acheampong’s camp before voting.
Mr Awuku said he had no knowledge of any such inducements from the Bawumia camp and stressed that he was not involved in, nor aware of, any decision to offer money to delegates ahead of the polls.
He drew a firm line between vote-buying and providing limited logistical support, such as transportation, to help delegates reach polling centres.
According to him, while logistical assistance may be necessary in some cases, offering money to influence voting choices undermines democratic values.
Mr Awuku warned that the use of financial incentives to sway electoral outcomes is harmful, noting that democracy is weakened when votes are driven by money rather than conviction.
He said such practices, if established, could erode confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.
Responding to claims that the Bawumia camp may have arranged transport for delegates, Mr Awuku said any such support, if it occurred, was not coordinated by the campaign leadership.
He explained that individuals may have acted independently, without authorisation from the central campaign.
Using his own constituency as an example, Mr Awuku said he personally facilitated transportation for delegates travelling long distances but made it clear that this support was not linked to how they voted.
He emphasised that delegates were encouraged to vote freely and according to their conscience.
“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 in an interview with Citi FM on Monday, February 2.
