Some traders in the Central Business District of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region have expressed anger over the alleged sharing of funds by a group suspected to be campaigners for Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia.
According to the agitated traders, they were approached by a group claiming to be from Dr. Bawumia’s camp and were given GHC 100 apiece to declare their support for the vice president.
They stated that political leaders should prioritise finishing the second phase of the Kejetia-Central Redevelopment Project above money sharing.
Deny endorsing Dr Bawumia
In recent hours, speculations have circulated that traders in Kumasi City Markets have declared their support for Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia in the upcoming NPP flag-bearer elections on November 4, 2023.
However, these rumours have been emphatically debunked by the traders themselves, who claim that they were taken advantage of due to their illiteracy.
The accounts of the traders paint a different picture from the widely circulated rumours.
According to some of the traders who were present at the market on Monday, confusion arose when they heard commotion near gate 11.
Curiosity drove them to enquire about the issue, and they were told that the Vice President was on his way and that they should offer their identities.
In return, each trader was handed 100 Ghana Cedis.
To their astonishment, a few hours later, they discovered through the news that they were purportedly endorsing Vice President Bawumia’s candidature.
This disclosure has infuriated them, as they maintain that no such endorsement occurred and that they have not put their support behind any candidate at this time, and even if they did, it would not be the vice president.
This incident, according to them, underscores the importance of responsible communication and the potential consequences of misinformation.
“It is vital to respect the voices and choices of individuals, especially when it comes to our involvement in political matters.
“Exploiting the illiteracy or vulnerability of any group for personal or political gain is a disheartening act that goes against the principles of fair and ethical campaigning,” they lamented.
In light of this, Kumasi City Markets traders are urging for a thorough inquiry into the incident to guarantee that the truth prevails.
“ We assert our right to make informed decisions and express our support for political candidates based on our own convictions, free from manipulation or coercion.
“In the run-up to the NPP Flag-bearer elections, it is essential that all parties and stakeholders uphold the principles of transparency and fairness to maintain the integrity of the democratic process,” they added.
