The presidency has rejected a report by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) that cited the president and officials of the governing National Democratic Congress for vote buying and abuse of incumbency.

The GII report, which spanned three months, cited the president for abuse of incumbency when he addressed in a party T-shirt to distribute outboard motors to fishermen in the Western Region.

The President's wife, Lordina Mahama, was also cited for vote buying after she distributed medical items in the company of party and government officials.

But Presidential Staffer Dr Clement Apaak has condemned the report, saying the distribution of the outboard motors cannot constituency abuse of incumbency.

He told Radio Ghana that the president has a lot of responsibilities, "he has a lot of  engagement, therefore if there is coincident between the two events, what is the basis to conclude that the distribution of outboard motors...amounts to incumbency abuse."

He explained that distribution of the outboard motors is a government policy, adding that it was not distributed for free. He said the beneficiaries will pay for them.

He also called on non-state actors to advocate for changes to the countries laws so as to establish a clear demarcation what a president can do and cannot do in an election.

"Until that happens, the president continues to be president And has official responsibility even as a candidate and therefore if the president as part of his responsibility, as part of his policy goes to give outboard motors to fisherfolks who are to pay for them as part of a policy to enhance the fishing industry, he cannot be blamed," he said.

He added, "And this no reason why he should be accused because he is performing his official responsibility."