The Deputy National Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu-Bempah, has disclosed that he strategically revived discussions on the Airbus scandal to divert public attention from the economic challenges facing Ghanaians.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Okay FM on December 23, 2024, Mr. Owusu-Bempah stressed the importance of strategy in politics, noting that his approach successfully shifted the focus of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) toward him rather than the country’s economic hardships.
“While Ghanaians were complaining about hunger and economic hardship, I strategically brought up the Airbus scandal. The whole NDC machinery turned its attention to me, one person, and that took the heat off the government,” he explained.
Mr. Owusu-Bempah expressed disappointment over being sidelined during the NPP’s 2024 campaign, attributing the party’s defeat partly to the lack of effective strategies.
“Some of us were sidelined in the campaign. As a national executive with significant influence in the Ashanti Region, where about 2 million people cherish me, I was not given a role or even allowed to speak at campaign events. I am one of the best political strategists in this country, and I’ve demonstrated that by saving the party during tough times,” he said.
He criticized the leadership for focusing on debates with the NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, instead of addressing pressing concerns.
“Debating Sammy Gyamfi on radio and TV doesn’t win elections. That’s a terrible mistake,” he remarked.
Mr. Owusu-Bempah also revealed that six months before the election, he alerted party leadership about apathy within the NPP’s stronghold in the Ashanti Region but received no response. Despite numerous calls to regional leaders, his concerns were ignored for nearly a month.
The Airbus Scandal
The Airbus scandal involved allegations that the European aircraft manufacturer paid bribes in Ghana during the sale of three military aircraft. The company admitted hiring the brother of a top Ghanaian official as a consultant, paying him through a third party, despite concerns raised by its compliance unit.
Former President John Dramani Mahama was implicated in the case, with former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu alleging that Mahama was the “Government Official One” referred to in the UK court ruling.
Amidu further alleged that Mahama used his position to secure a Ghanaian passport for his brother, Samuel Adam Mahama, who was identified as “Intermediary 5.” Mahama denied the allegations, challenging Amidu to prosecute him if there was evidence.
Under the leadership of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, Mahama was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing in the case.
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