Missing GH¢ 700,000: Baako vouches for integrity of Samia, Sakara

Managing editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper has vouched for the integrity of Chairperson of the Convention People's Party, Samia Yaba Nkrumah and 2012 Presidential candidate, Dr. Abu Sakara following reports suggesting the two have allegedly embezzled over GH¢ 700,000 meant as campaign funds.

Daily Graphic reported Thursday, a fact-finding committee set up by the CPP to establish alleged acts of financial impropriety involving the leadership of the party, has indicted Dr Abu Sakara, and the Chairperson, Ms Samia Yaba Nkrumah, for failing to account for GH¢700,000 of campaign funds meant for the elections.

According to the report, written submissions by persons who appeared before the committee confirmed receipt of substantial funds and two Toyota Hilux vehicles, which were received by the National Chairman, adding that GH¢200,000 was received from a ‘donor’ out of which GH¢150,000 was used to pay the filing fees for parliamentary candidates and part of the remainder used to purchase motorbikes.

But speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana program, the ace journalist said you would “find it difficult to question her integrity”.

“The way I have known her she has palpable integrity,” he defended. He added the “little knowledge” he has had about the presidential candidate he was a man of integrity who would not embezzle campaign funds.

He said if the report has not included their responses, it would not be “fair”.

He condemned whoever leaked the report saying it had done a “disservice” to the party.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abu Sakara has questioned the motive behind the leaked reports.

“What will be the benefit of anyone who seeks to release unsubstantiated report and also not taking into account any response,” he said on Adom FM.

He said with all the efforts his campaign had put into improving the image of the party, he did not see any gain in such reports except to bring the party into disrepute.

“I don’t know the objective of these people,” he said.

The 2012 CPP presidential candidate said the report was supposed to be “internal” and that he would wait to have the opportunity to give a proper, written response.