The Eastern Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bismarck Tawiah Boateng has threatened to sue a private newspaper, Daily Guide, for defamation.
According to Bismarck Tawiah Boateng, the newspaper would have to meet him in court to indicate the portion of the Professor Kwesi Botchwey committee report that said that “me Bismarck Tawiah Boateng have pocketed 1 million Ghana cedis”
Tuesday’s edition of Daily Guide carried a story which the paper claimed was culled from the 455-page committee report, with the banner headline “PROBE NDC CHAIR”. The story among many other things alleged that the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NDC is keeping some 1 million Cedis meant for campaign during the 2016 general elections in the region.
But Mr. Boateng told Onua FM morning show ‘Yen Nsem Pa’, that the campaign in the region was managed by the regional campaign coordinator and there was no way such amount would have come to him.
He said the newspaper would have to prove in court that he actually received the said money.
“Have you seen the Professor Kwesi Botcwey committee report yourself, I have not seen it and neither my regional executives. So if the report is with the national executives, how Daily Guide had the report to publish, I don’t even regard that paper” he told the host Bright Kwesi Asempa.
The NDC Eastern Regional Chairman also said, monies made available to the region, was brought by Director of Elections Samuel Ofosu Ampofo but explained that the money was handed over to the Treasurer of the party in the region.
“So if there was any money to that tune, the Treasurer should be aware and even the regional minister and my executives”
Bismarck Tawiah Boateng maintained that he did not take part in any of the fund raisings for the party, saying the only money brought to him has been accounted for to the Professor Kwesi Botchwey Committee.
“They can check with the committee that came to meet us, it was former Speaker of Parliament Edward Adjaho with his team that came to meet us, and we told them everything. So I am saying it on authority that I have not kept any money and in my 53 years, I have not seen 1 million Ghana cedis.
“I will still contest and win the Eastern Region Chair so all those allegations will not deter me,” Bismarck Tawiah Boateng averred.
By Bright Dzakah/Onua 95.1fm/3news.com