It’s premature to demand cost of campaign launch – NDC

The campaign spokesperson for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joyce Bawa-Mogtari, says demands by the opposition NPP that the party renders account to Ghanaians on the just ended campaign launch of the party is “premature”.

She says the party does not shy away from accountability and will make public how much money was spent on last Sunday’s event.

Mrs. Bawa-Mogtari was reacting to claims by the NPP that they had information that millions of Ghana cedis of the tax payer’s money was splashed on the campaign. A section of the media had reported that about Gh¢28 million was used.

But the campaign spokesperson assured Accra-based Joy FM the party’s finance committee will make it known to the public at the appropriate time.

“I don’t think this is the time for us to be asking about how much money has been spent on this event because we are just coming back from a successful event as all of us can testify,” Mrs Bawa-Mogtari stated.

“Issues about how much was spent on the launch will be dealt with by the finance committee of the campaign team. It is not an issue we will shy away from at all. For now what as head of the communications team of the campaign is supposed to do is to tell Ghanaians on behalf of the team is that we have sent a clear message to Ghanaians that we are united, poised and determined to get into the battle field and win convincingly come December 7,” she added.

She also dismissed suggestions that the event was planned to specifically target the NPP flagbearer.

“It is also important for us to let you know that the launch was targeted first of all to our party members, secondly to the Ghanaians and then to the international community.

“Remember, Ghana is loudly touted as the beacon of democracy and so the international community has a keen eye on what happens here and that is why it is important that we comport ourselves well…”

Touching on former president Rawlings’ speech, she said the former president’s speech was welcoming. She therefore dismissed as untrue the assertion that Mr. Rawlings’ speech was not pleasant to the party supporters.

“We all know our founder, he speaks his mind regardless of who you or what you are. It doesn’t mean he hates us. If he has any concerns he should be free to express it and we are ready to take it on board,” Bawa-Mogtari remarked.