Malik Basintale, the Deputy National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has underscored his party’s commitment to holding President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia accountable for alleged corruption and financial misconduct if the NDC wins power in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
During a recent address, Basintale emphasized the readiness of the NDC to investigate and prosecute President Akufo-Addo, whom the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has previously labelled as the “mother serpent of corruption”.
He asserted that investigating the President, should he leave office, would be straightforward given the existing allegations and the gravity of the accusations.
“It will be very easy to investigate somebody who has been called the mother serpent of corruption. Very easy. All you do to a mother serpent of corruption is to use two days in investigating him”.
Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communications Officer, NDC
Malik Basintale further directed the brunt of his critique towards Vice President Dr Bawumia, predicting that he would face severe legal repercussions for his alleged involvement in multiple scandals.
According to Basintale, while President Akufo-Addo may enjoy a three-year immunity period after leaving office, as stipulated by Article 57 of the 1992 Constitution, Dr Bawumia would not be afforded such protection and would quickly become “Prime Suspect 1” in a series of corruption investigations.
Basintale specifically highlighted the unresolved issues surrounding the disappearance of 10,000 bags of rice at the Tema Port, implying that Dr Bawumia would be a central figure in this investigation.
“Dr. Bawumia will laugh at the wrong side of his mouth… I’m telling you that next year, by this time, Vice President Dr Bawumia will be PS 1, which means prime suspect 1”.
Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communications Officer, NDC
The PDS Scandal
Basintale also stated, that the Vice President would be implicated in the PDS scandal, which allegedly resulted in significant financial loss to the state due to Dr Bawumia’s alteration of contract terms.
“Dr Bawumia will be standing trial for the PDS scandal which he changed the condition precedent to a condition subsequent. And as a result, caused financial loss to the state.
“Today, we still go on arbitration in the UK every week, the attorney general spends the Bank of Ghana’s money in travelling to go and defend that case. Dr Bawumia will be prime suspect 1 in the PDS scandal next year by this time. He will be in the witness box”.
Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communications Officer, NDC
Again, Malik Basintale accused Dr Bawumia of corruption in relation to the controversial “appearance fees” saga, where it was claimed that individuals had to pay $250,000 to meet the Vice President to discuss mining concession matters.
He contended that even though the Office of the Special Prosecutor could not bring finality to the matter, the next NDC administration would undertake a thorough investigation to bring finality to the matter.
Overpriced and Sole-Source Contracts Allegation
The NDC Deputy Communications Officer also alleged that Dr Bawumia is involved in inflated sole-source contracts awarded to his brother, Abraham Bawumia including contracts for road construction in Teshi and the renovation of the phase one of the Sunyani Airport.
Basintale cited the Auditor General’s report, which he claimed identified these contracts as overpriced and passed through sole sourcing, allegedly under Dr Bawumia’s supervision.
Malik Basintale did not spare the Vice President’s involvement in the Ameri deal, which he alleged was significantly inflated under Dr Bawumia’s watch while President Akufo-Addo was attending an ECOWAS summit.
“It was under Dr Bawumia that the Ameri deal ballooned from $510 million to $1.3 billion, So Bawumia is an expert in balloon contracts. And next year by this time, prime suspect one, Dr Bawumia will be explaining to us”.
Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communications Officer, NDC
The NDC Deputy Communications Officer concluded by contrasting the alleged corruption of the current administration with the integrity of former President John Dramani Mahama, whom he described as “clean” and “pure as an angel.”
Basintale asserted that former President Mahama had diligently served the country without any stain of corruption.
“Next year by this time, Dr Bawumia will be in the witness box, and President Akufo-Addo will be telling us what was in the brown envelope he took with his two hands,” Basintale remarked, signaling the NDC’s determination to hold the current administration accountable.
He also warned that the Ghanaian people would not tolerate any attempts to evade justice, reaffirming the NDC’s commitment to rooting out corruption and restoring integrity to public office.
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