The Assembly says local suppliers rejected cheque payments because of processing delays, while auditors also flagged GH¢251,778.81 in expenditure lacking supporting documents.

The Talensi District Assembly has explained that cash payments totalling GH¢181,170, questioned by the Auditor-General in its 2024 audit report, were used to pay for refreshments and other food-related expenses for meetings and official activities.

An official representing the Assembly gave the explanation on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when the matter was discussed before Parliament’s Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development.

According to the official, the Assembly resorted to cash transactions because some local suppliers were unwilling to accept cheques due to delays in processing payments.

The representative said the amount covered expenses incurred throughout 2024, particularly purchases of refreshments and other items required for meetings. The explanation was provided in response to the auditors’ concerns about the Assembly’s reliance on cash payments.

Suppliers’ refusal to accept cheques

The Assembly’s explanation centred on the difficulties it said it faced in paying local suppliers through the banking system.

The official indicated that delays in processing cheques had affected transactions with suppliers in the district, prompting the Assembly to make payments in cash to meet its operational needs.

The disclosure brought attention to the payment methods used by local government authorities and the importance of maintaining appropriate financial controls when public funds are spent.

The Assembly’s explanation, however, did not remove the need to address the audit concerns surrounding its transactions.

GH¢251,778.81 expenditure also flagged

Separately, the Auditor-General identified GH¢251,778.81 in expenditure from the District Assemblies Common Fund and other statutory funds allocated to the Talensi Assembly in 2024 for which the required supporting documents were unavailable.

The auditors recommended that the officials responsible for the expenditure refund the amount, according to reports on the parliamentary hearing.

The amount relates to a separate audit finding and should not be confused with the GH¢181,170 in cash payments for refreshments and other food expenses.

The lack of supporting documentation raises questions about the Assembly’s ability to adequately account for the use of public funds and demonstrate that expenditure complied with the applicable financial requirements.

Accountability in local government spending

The parliamentary committee’s examination of the findings forms part of broader scrutiny of the financial management of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

The Talensi case highlights the need for public institutions to maintain clear records, use transparent payment procedures and provide adequate documentation to support expenditure.

While the Assembly has attributed its cash payments to difficulties with cheque processing, the audit findings underline the importance of ensuring that operational challenges do not undermine accountability in the management of public resources.

PNC leader proposes strict campaign spending limits, transparent financial disclosures and tough sanctions to protect the integrity of internal party elections.

The leader of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Bernard Anbataayela Mornah, has called on political parties in Ghana to introduce stronger measures to discourage vote-buying and make financial inducements in internal elections costly for offenders.

Mr Mornah said political parties must move beyond appeals to candidates’ conscience and adopt enforceable rules that promote transparency, accountability and merit in the selection of party leaders and parliamentary candidates.

In a statement reported by the Daily Graphic on Friday, October 30, 2026, he warned that when access to political leadership depends largely on financial strength, competence and commitment to public service risk being overshadowed by money.

Ban on financial inducements

Mr Mornah proposed that party rules explicitly prohibit candidates from offering cash, goods, mobile-money transfers or payments through intermediaries to influence delegates’ votes.

He argued that candidates should be held accountable for inducements they authorise or knowingly finance through agents, provided responsibility is established through credible evidence.

He also called for realistic campaign spending limits and mandatory declarations of donations, funding sources and expenditure, including contributions made in goods and services.

To strengthen accountability, he proposed independent checks of campaign finances and the publication of accessible summaries of candidates’ financial compliance after elections.

Regulate election-day support

The PNC leader further suggested that political parties organise transport and refreshments centrally on election days, with costs published and all candidates treated equally.

According to him, such arrangements would help prevent personal payments to delegates from being disguised as transport allowances or other legitimate support.

“Candidates should not give personal allowances to delegates,” he said.

Mr Mornah also advocated compulsory candidate forums where aspirants would explain their records, understanding of the positions they seek and practical plans for their respective parties.

He said equal access to party members through official communication platforms would help ensure that a candidate’s wealth did not determine whose message received the most attention.

Tougher sanctions and lower campaign costs

The PNC leader proposed an impartial complaints panel, confidential reporting channels, clear evidential standards and fixed deadlines for resolving allegations of electoral misconduct.

He said proven violations should attract proportionate sanctions, potentially including disqualification or annulment of results, subject to established rules and appeal procedures.

He also recommended moderate nomination fees, shorter campaign periods, shared campaign platforms and stronger political education to reduce the financial barriers facing capable members without wealthy sponsors.

PNC to adopt safeguards

Mr Mornah said the PNC should adopt clear safeguards before its next internal elections, appoint a credible enforcement committee and require every candidate to submit a campaign finance declaration.

He stressed that the proposals were recommendations for party reform, not a claim that every measure was already required by Ghanaian law.

“Our parties must reward service, integrity and ability,” he said.

His proposals come amid renewed calls for political-financing reforms as Ghana’s major parties reorganise ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Samuel Sowah Oblejumah promises innovative leadership, sound financial management and grassroots development after securing 806 votes in the constituency executive elections.

The newly elected Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the La Dadekotopon Constituency, Samuel Sowah Oblejumah, has pledged to make the constituency one of the best-administered in the country through effective leadership, prudent financial management and stronger grassroots organisation.

Mr Oblejumah made the commitment after winning the constituency chairmanship in the party’s 2026 executive elections held on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

He secured 806 votes to defeat four other contenders in a keenly contested race, with his closest challenger, Prince Okoe Addo, polling 457 votes. Husna Ako Sowah received 362 votes, Stephen Okoe polled 217, while the incumbent chairman, Magnus Sowah Odoi, obtained 29 votes.

Speaking after his victory, Mr Oblejumah said his administration would adopt sound corporate governance principles to improve the party’s organisational capacity and financial performance.

“I will run the constituency to make it one of the best-administered constituencies in the country,” he stated.

Focus on resource mobilisation

The new chairman said his leadership would explore innovative approaches to mobilising funds and managing available resources to ensure that branches and wards received adequate support to carry out their activities.

He identified administrative efficiency and financial sustainability as key priorities for building a strong constituency structure capable of supporting the party’s political activities.

Mr Oblejumah’s vision centres on strengthening the party’s grassroots structures and improving coordination among constituency executives, branch officers and ward coordinators.

Call for unity after elections

Following his election, Mr Oblejumah thanked delegates for the confidence they had placed in him and called on members to unite behind the new leadership.

He also extended an olive branch to his defeated opponents, stressing that the contest was over and that the collective interest of the party should take precedence over individual ambitions.

He pledged to work with his former challengers and other stakeholders to strengthen the NDC’s structures and advance its interests in the constituency.

New constituency executives

Other elected officers include Edward Atsu Dela-Seshie as Vice-Chairman, Jeffrey Addokwei Tetteh as Secretary, and Mathias Nii Odartey Lamptey as Deputy Secretary.

Joseph Baba Yakubu was elected Organiser, with Beatrice Mawusi Ladzekpo as Deputy Organiser. The executive team also includes officers responsible for communications, finance, youth, women and the Zongo Caucus.

The new leadership is expected to coordinate party activities at the constituency level as the NDC continues its internal reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general election.

General Secretary of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Citizen Ato Dadzie, has called for fairness, accountability and restraint in political criticism, warning against attempts to destroy the reputation of individuals over mistakes made in the past.

In a zoom meeting on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Ato Dadzie defended Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, describing him as one of the young ministers performing well in government.

According to him, everyone is bound to make mistakes, and political leaders should be judged fairly rather than subjected to personal attacks.
“Where there is justice, you can also get injustice,” he stated, stressing that the minister has demonstrated openness to accountability.

Ato Dadzie further argued that individuals should not be quick to dismiss the good work of public officials because of past controversies.
He also referenced the minister’s reported intervention to save a Ghanaian facing execution in Saudi Arabia, describing it as an achievement worthy of recognition.
“We should not be in a rush to rubbish all the wonderful things he has done so far,” he cautioned.
The GCPP General Secretary also took aim at what he described as coordinated attempts to undermine individuals performing well in governance.

He insisted that responsible opposition should focus on presenting superior ideas rather than searching for weaknesses to tarnish the image of political opponents.
“As a responsible opposition, I don’t need to look for your flaws to tarnish one’s image but would rather raise my best ideas to surpass you,” he noted.

Ato Dadzie concluded by urging Ghanaians not to personalise issues involving Okudzeto Ablakwa simply to revisit mistakes made in the past.
His comments add to the ongoing conversation about political accountability, constructive opposition and the need to recognise achievements while holding public officials responsible for their actions.

The New Patriotic Party”s (NPP) Deputy National Communication Director, Gordon Asare Bediako, has launched a scathing attack on Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, accusing him of displaying arrogance of power amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of chartered flights.

Speaking at Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Gordon Asare-Bediako, questioned the minister’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
According to him, the Minority has not accused Ablakwa of committing any crime but is demanding clarity over issues surrounding the use and cost of chartered aircraft.
Asare-Bediako alleged that the Majority had indicated that Nana Asafu-Agyei was seeking for some help for his Godfather Nana Boakye from the Foreign Affairs Ministry but could not obtain it, prompting the press conference
.
He further accused the Minister of attempting to rubbish the work of the multimedia committee despite alleged discrepancies between documents presented to the NPP and multimedia materials.

Touching on the cost of chartered flights, Asare-Bediako questioned claims that previous arrangements cost approximately US$300,000 per flight through Ethiopian Airlines, but the Minister claimed it costed US$750,000.

He argued that the figures raise serious questions that require public clarification.
“He who was calling for accountability is now running away from accountability,” Asare-Bediako stated.

The NPP communicator further insisted that Okudzeto Ablakwa must be held accountable if he maintains that issues surrounding chartered flights constitute a national security matter.
The allegations and cost figures remain claims attributed to Asare-Bediako and have not been independently verified.

The New Patriotic Party”s (NPP) Deputy National Communication Director, Gordon Asare Bediako, has launched a scathing attack on Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, accusing him of displaying arrogance of power amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of chartered flights.

Speaking at Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Gordon Asare-Bediako, questioned the minister’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
According to him, the Minority has not accused Ablakwa of committing any crime but is demanding clarity over issues surrounding the use and cost of chartered aircraft.
Asare-Bediako alleged that the Majority had indicated that Nana Asafu-Agyei was seeking for some help for his Godfather Nana Boakye from the Foreign Affairs Ministry but could not obtain it, prompting the press conference
.
He further accused the Minister of attempting to rubbish the work of the multimedia committee despite alleged discrepancies between documents presented to the NPP and multimedia materials.

Touching on the cost of chartered flights, Asare-Bediako questioned claims that previous arrangements cost approximately US$300,000 per flight through Ethiopian Airlines, but the Minister claimed it costed US$750,000.

He argued that the figures raise serious questions that require public clarification.
“He who was calling for accountability is now running away from accountability,” Asare-Bediako stated.

The NPP communicator further insisted that Okudzeto Ablakwa must be held accountable if he maintains that issues surrounding chartered flights constitute a national security matter.
The allegations and cost figures remain claims attributed to Asare-Bediako and have not been independently verified.