The Evalue Gwira branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the civil society group against the ministerial nominee for the Tourism and Creative Arts ministry, Catherine Afeku alleging fraud against her are members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a statement by the NPP in the constituency, "Our research revealed that the executives of the so-called group, Sirr Abdullah of Zuria FM (Kumasi), Elomba Nana Yeboah of Fanteakwa and Samed Akalilu of Kumasi, are all cast-in-iron NDC members outside the three constituencies of Nzema."

A group calling itself Truth and Accountable Governance (TAG) wants President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reconsider Catherine Afeku for the Tourism and Creative Arts ministry.

According to the group, Madam Catherine Afeku is not the right person for the ministry.

In a statement  signed by its convener, Sirr Abdalah, the group alleged that the nominee is a fraudster and as such, should have her nomination revoked in order to save the integrity the president’s nominees.

"Mrs Afeku and her husband, Mr Seth Afeku, were found guilty for defrauding an American couple on 19-10-2013 by an Accra High Court presided over by Her [Ladyship] Barbara Ackah-Yensu. The trial judge directed the MP for Evalue-Gwira constituency and her husband to pay an amount of $217,464 plus 50 per cent interest to the plaintiff, Patricia and Bill Gick."

The NPP in the Evalue Gwira constituency in response to the allegations by the group said "it is very painful, sorrowful, and disheartening for a group to push for the withdrawal of Mrs Afeku’s nomination since she is hardworking, affable, courageous and dependable".

"We are aware it is partisan politics laced with hatred and jealousy aimed at scattering the fortunes of Hon. Catherine Afeku and the entire NPP in Nzema. Catherine has been the pillar of NPP in Evalue Jomoro Gwira since her return from America to serve her people. The support base of the NPP in Evalue Jomoro Gwira has increased steadily and people, especially the youth, have developed love for the party, a situation that threatens the existence of NDC in the constituency, especially when she is appointed as a minister.

The NPP responding to the allegations raised by the group added that, "judgement was given in favour of an American couple, but in 2013 fresh evidence was gathered and an appeal has been filed by our Hon. Catherine Afeku and her husband to set aside the earlier judgement of 2007 which was fraudulently acquired".

"Now we ask: Where was this so-called group when Woyome was lying and stealing from the state? Where were they when Mahama was taking bribes at the presidency? Where were they when Selasi Ibrahim was ‘chopping’ oil money in the bus branding deal? Where were they when the NDC in Evalue Gwira accused their MCE of using state funds to build his private houses?" the group quizzed.

The NPP group added, "The youth and good people of the constituency are upset because they did not vote for a fraudster; they voted for competence, intelligence, eloquence, and a hardworking and courageous person, and that person is Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku. We call on the Appointments Committee, our teeming supporters and all NPP sympathisers to treat the publication with the contempt it deserves and clear our mother to contribute her quota to the development of Nzemaland and Ghana as a whole."

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