Majority Whip in Parliament, Frank Annoh Dompreh, has denied allegations of orchestrating the destruction of a billboard artwork featuring New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant, Kenndy Ohene Agyepong.
“I want to make it clear that I had no involvement in the removal of the artwork from either billboard nor do I know who was responsible for it,” Annoh Dompreh stated, addressing members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) on August 12th.
He characterized the accusations against him as a ‘rehearsed strategy’ potentially devised by individuals sympathetic to Agyapong’s campaign, but not necessarily by the colleague Member of Parliament himself.
The controversy erupted when a billboard near the Ghana Commercial Bank in Nsawam, displaying Agyapong’s campaign artwork was taken down.
Annoh Dompreh stated, “When the billboard incident occurred, I was in Minneapolis, attending the National Conference of State Legislators with the Speaker of Parliament and several other delegates.”
He emphasized that he was compelled to cut short his trip due to the volume of concerned calls from Ghana regarding the situation.
Annoh Dompreh’s investigation revealed that the billboard was owned by an advertising company named Kobby Creative Limited.
However, the artwork’s sponsors had dealt directly with a different individual rather than the owner of the advertising company. This individual, who owned the billboard structure, ordered the removal of the artwork and directed Agyapong’s team to seek permission before reinstallation.
The Majority Whip expressed his dismay at being unfairly targeted: “It pains me to be at the center of a controversy that I have no involvement in. My reputation has been unjustly tarnished.” He cited the barrage of insults he received on social media and even on a program on Net2 television as particularly hurtful.
Upon resolving the issue and restoring the billboard, Annoh Dompreh expected an apology from Agyapong’s campaign team. “Given that the truth has emerged and the situation has been rectified, I believe an apology would be appropriate,” he remarked.
Annoh Dompreh also highlighted that this was not the first time baseless accusations had been aimed at him by Ken Agyapong and his supporters.
He appealed for a more responsible approach within the party, stressing, “As colleagues within the NPP, we should exercise restraint and understanding, especially during this internal election season.”
Annoh Dompreh emphasized that his support for Vice President Bawumia’s candidacy should not lead to unwarranted allegations. “We are all entitled to our preferences, but these allegations are causing unnecessary divisions,” he lamented.