Some Ghanaian journalists who participated in a media encounter with New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have admitted to receiving payment for their role in the Q&A session.
According to a report by FactCheckGhana.com, some journalists confirmed in an interview that they received up to GH¢10,000 for the event which was held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel on August 25, 2024.
One of the journalists dispelled rumours of receiving GH¢20,000, stating instead that he received GH¢10,000.
“I received GH¢10,000, not GH¢20,000. They also paid for my flight and accommodation for one night,” one of them whose name was not mentioned is quoted to have told Fact-Check Ghana.
According to the report, the journalist revealed that they were made to sign against their names before receiving the cash. “I can only speak about what I received, which was GH¢10,000, and I signed for it,” another journalist is reported to have said.
The Director of Communication for the Bawumia Campaign, Dennis Miracle Aboagye is also reported to have confirmed the invitation of 220 journalists but denied that they paid journalists GH¢10,000.
“I haven’t given any GH¢20,000 or GH¢10,000 to any media house. The highest amount of money any media person received was between GH¢2,000 and GH¢5,000. They are all not the same; some were even bloggers,” he said.
Aboagye further explained that the journalists who were invited from outside Accra were provided more money to cover their accommodation and transportation.
“Take someone who came from Kumasi or Tamale, for instance. If you give them GH¢5,000 or GH¢7,000, then you must add their accommodation and transport to ensure you have covered them.”
Meanwhile, the report further detailed that contrary to Dennis Aboagye’s explanation, some of the journalists who were contacted from outside Accra said they received GH¢10,000, and that was not to cater for their transport or accommodation. Indeed, some journalists based in Accra who were neither accommodated nor flown to Accra also confirmed receiving GH¢10,000 while others said they were either paid GH¢2,000, GH¢3,000, or GH¢5,000.
