OSP petitioned to probe alleged bribery during Oct 1 IPAC meeting

Mark Ewusi, Convenor of Election Watch Ghana and National Youth Organizer for the People’s National Convention (PNC), has formally requested an investigation from the Office of the Special Prosecutor into allegations of bribery during the recent Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held by the Electoral Commission of Ghana on October 1.

Ewusi claims that certain representatives from participating parties received cash just minutes before the meeting began, stating he personally received GHC3,000 from a member of the Liberal Party of Ghana. He argued that this practice is unprecedented in IPAC meetings and called for an investigation to uncover the motivations behind the alleged distribution of money, which he believes was intended to sway decisions.

“People are unhappy with my decision to approach the Special Prosecutor, but our democracy must be upheld,” he remarked to reporters.

However, Jerry Apawu, the General Secretary of the Liberal Party of Ghana and the individual accused of giving money to Ewusi, explained that the funds were provided as a personal loan to help Ewusi with his family’s rent issues. Apawu stated he has not been contacted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor regarding the matter. “This is why people face hardships; when someone asks for help, this is how they repay it,” he said, adding that Ewusi sought assistance after his own leader, Bernard Mornah, could not provide support.

Apawu clarified, “I don’t even know the amount I gave him; I just took what I had in my pocket.”

The IPAC meeting, attended by representatives from ten political parties, focused on the National Democratic Congress’ request for a forensic audit of the provisional voters register. Eight parties opposed the request, while two supported it. The proceedings were broadcast live.