The New Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Talensi Constituency has disputed claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding a reported GH¢100,000 donation by the Member of Parliament for the area, Daniel Dung Mahama, to NDC constituency executive aspirants.
The NPP had questioned the reported donation, arguing that significant financial resources were being channelled into political activities at a time when several communities in the Talensi Constituency were allegedly facing pressing developmental challenges, particularly in the education sector.
However, speaking on the BlueWaves Breakfast Show, the NDC Talensi Constituency Communications Officer, Michael Nangena, rejected the NPP’s characterization of the donation and maintained that the money came from the MP’s personal funds and not public resources.
According to Mr Nangena, the NPP’s attempt to link the reported donation to public funds was misleading, stressing that the MP, as a politician and member of the NDC, has the right to support party activities and individuals within the party using his personal resources.
NDC defends MP’s political support
Mr Nangena said there was nothing inherently wrong with the MP providing financial assistance to party members and constituency executive aspirants, particularly when such support was coming from his own resources.
He argued that political leaders are also members of political parties and should not be prevented from supporting legitimate party activities simply because they hold public office.
He therefore dismissed the NPP’s suggestion that the reported GH¢100,000 expenditure should necessarily have been redirected towards development projects, insisting that the source of the funds was an important consideration in assessing the issue.
Mr Nangena maintained that the MP’s support for party activities should not be presented as though public money had been diverted for political purposes.
NDC highlights development projects
The NDC Communications Officer also pushed back against the NPP’s broader criticism of the MP’s performance, arguing that Daniel Dung Mahama has undertaken and supported a number of development initiatives in the constituency.
According to him, the MP’s contribution to the development of Talensi should be assessed beyond a single reported political donation, as several projects and interventions have been pursued under his leadership.
He maintained that the MP has been working to respond to the needs of constituents in various communities and that the NPP’s criticism failed to give adequate recognition to those interventions.
Mr Nangena therefore challenged the opposition party to present a comprehensive assessment of the MP’s work rather than focusing solely on the reported GH¢100,000 donation.
NPP raises concerns over schools
The NDC’s response follows a statement issued by the NPP in the Talensi Constituency, in which the opposition party questioned the priorities surrounding the reported donation.
The NPP, through its Constituency Communications Officer, Yinwonba Yinnamaltiman Emmanuel, alleged that pupils at Sawaliga Primary School were being forced to learn while lying on their bellies because of a shortage of desks and other basic furniture.
The party also cited Tindongo Primary School, where it alleged that pupils continue to face infrastructure challenges, including a damaged roof.
The NPP consequently questioned why substantial amounts of money could reportedly be spent on political activities when some schools in the constituency were allegedly struggling to provide basic learning facilities.
The party also raised concerns about the situation of some first-year Senior High School students from the constituency who, according to it, have experienced difficulties obtaining basic items required for their enrolment and successful reporting to school.
Roads, bridges and other concerns
The NPP further raised concerns about the state of roads and bridges in parts of the constituency, particularly around Baare, where it alleged that residents experience difficulties during periods of heavy rainfall.
The party also claimed that workers associated with Earl International’s mining operations, as well as other residents and businesses operating around the area, face challenges accessing the mining site because of the condition of the roads.
It argued that such infrastructure challenges could negatively affect economic activities, movement of people and the transportation of goods within affected communities.
NDC challenges NPP’s narrative
Responding to the concerns, Mr Nangena maintained that the NPP’s argument appeared to suggest that the MP should not use his personal resources to support political activities simply because there are development challenges within the constituency.
He insisted that the two issues should not necessarily be treated as mutually exclusive, stressing that the MP could support his political party while also contributing to development initiatives within Talensi.
He further maintained that the MP’s record of development interventions should be considered when evaluating his performance as a legislator.
Questions over source of funds
The controversy, however, continues to centre on the source of the reported GH¢100,000.
While the NPP has called for transparency and questioned whether any public resources, including the MP’s Common Fund, were involved, the NDC has categorically maintained that the money came from the MP’s personal funds.
Mr Nangena’s position, therefore, is that the reported donation should not be construed as the use of public resources unless evidence is produced to establish otherwise.
The development has triggered a wider political debate in Talensi over the responsibilities of elected representatives, the use of personal resources to support political activities and the need to balance party interests with constituency development.
While the NPP continues to demand answers over the reported donation and highlights alleged challenges in education and infrastructure, the NDC insists that the MP has the right to support party activities with his personal resources and points to what it describes as several development projects undertaken in the constituency.
The GH¢100,000 figure and the claims surrounding its source have not been independently verified, and the MP himself has not been quoted directly in the competing statements presented in this report.
Source: MyBlueWavesOnline.com | Maurice Duncan | Bolgatanga
