There is confusion among members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) members of parliament over an alleged bribe they took to ratify the sale of the then Ghana Telecom to Vodaphone last year.
It is being alleged by one of them Mr P.C. Appiah Ofori, who was opposed to the deal and refused to vote for it, that after the parliamentary vote to ratify the deal, all those who voted for it were given $5,000 to help in their campaign during last year’s general election.
Mr Appiah Ofori who did not receive any of the money said in an interview with an Accra FM radio that he raised objections to the matter immediately he heard it, but was prevailed upon by the then Chief of staff to withdraw his letter. This was because the Chief of Staff said it would be a disgrace for the party, and they might loose the elections due to that. The NPP has lost the election anyway.
Mr Appiah Ofori has testified before a Committee investigating the deal and is asking the National Democratic Congress government to revoke the deal.
But all the NPP MPs who spoke in addition to the Chief of Staff have denied the allegation. However, the ex Chief confirmed that Mr Appiah Ofori wrote a letter about the issue when they were in government, and he asked him (Appiah Ofori) to withdraw the letter for the reasons mentioned above.
Mr Appiah Ofori is saaying that he withdraw the letter then not because the allegation was false but did not want to jeopadise his party’s fortunes in the election.
NPP member have decided to boycott parliamentary sittings due to the issue.
Ghana Telecom was sold to Vodaphone last year amidst widespread projest from the people.
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