Ejisu by-election: My good intention and action misconstrued – Kwadaso MP apologises over bribery allegations

Dr. Kingsley Nyarko, the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Constituency representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has issued an apology in light of allegations suggesting that he attempted to bribe Electoral Commission officers during the Ejisu Constituency by-election on April 30, 2024.

In a statement released on May 4, Dr. Nyarko addressed the controversy surrounding a video that depicted him placing a white envelope on a table in front of two Electoral Commission officers. He clarified that his role on the day of the by-election was to oversee the proceedings at five polling stations in Fumesua.

During his visit to the Pentecost church polling station, upon learning that the officers had not received their food, he offered them lunch, which they accepted, and he subsequently placed an envelope on the table in the full view of everyone present. Dr. Nyarko emphasized that his gesture was made with pure intentions and was not meant to influence the officers in any way.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the values of credibility, integrity, honesty, and discipline, both personally and in alignment with the Electoral Commission's reputation. Dr. Nyarko expressed regret that his actions were misinterpreted as bribery, firmly stating that this was not his intention.

“Although, I acted in good faith, it seems my good intention and action have been misconstrued to mean I have bribed or influenced the electoral officers. That was not the case. I did not bribe anybody,” he noted.

Concluding his statement, Dr. Nyarko extended his apologies to the Commission and the public, assuring that such an incident would not recur. He also expressed his willingness to cooperate with any investigative process to ascertain the facts of the incident.

The statement by the MP comes on the back of an announcement by the Ghana Police Service that it has started an investigation into the alleged incident of bribery and has since invited and questioned the MP as well as the two electoral officials involved in the matter.

Read Dr. Kingsley Nyarko’s full statement below:

It has come to my attention that there is a video in circulation in which I was seen picking a white envelope from my back pocket and dropping it on a table in front of two Electoral Commission officers.

I would like to state that, on the 30th of April, 2024, when the Ejisu by-election was being held, I was selected by my political party—the New Patriotic Party to supervise 5 polling stations in Fumesua.

During my numerous rounds, and upon reaching the Pentecost church polling station, I interacted with the officers to find out if the election process at the polling station was coming up well and the numbers that had registered at that time.

The officers indicated that the process was smooth, but at that time their food had not been delivered. I then asked them if they would be okay if I offered them lunch. They accepted it and I put an envelope on the table in the full glare of all.

I then left, granted an interview with Adom TV and continued to the other polling stations.

I must state unequivocally, and in all honesty that, the gesture shown by me to the electoral officers was with good intent, and not to bribe nor influence them to act contrary to their conscience, conviction and character.

The Electoral Commission, over the years has built an image of credibility, integrity, honesty and discipline, and I will not do anything untoward to erode such virtues.

I have endeavored, over the years, to build an image of integrity, credibility, honesty, kindness and discipline and I will not do anything deliberately to diminish it. In fact, those who know me will attest to that.

Although, I acted in good faith, it seems my good intention and action have been misconstrued to mean I have bribed or influenced the electoral officers. That was not the case. I did not bribe anybody.

As unfortunate as the incident is, I would like to apologize to the Commission and the citizenry, and assure all and sundry that such an act will never happen again.

I will also gladly submit myself to any process to establish the truth of what transpired at the polling station on that day.

Thank you.

Kingsley Nyarko, MP, Kwadaso