Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to allow former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Adwoa Safo, to voice her concerns regarding internal party matters and alleged corruption in Ghana’s School Feeding Programme. In an interview on Channel One TV on March 22, Cudjoe emphasized that Safo, who has faced years of media misrepresentation, deserves to be heard. He pointed out that many accusations have been leveled against her, some of which even he found surprising. According to him, since she is now speaking out, it is only fair that she is given the opportunity to present her side of the story. Additionally, Cudjoe criticized the NPP’s directive that discourages discussions on the party’s 2024 electoral defeat. He argued that such conversations are unavoidable, as the reasons behind the party’s loss are already well-known to both members and the public. In his view, suppressing these discussions only raises further questions about the party’s approach to accountability and transparency.
A key issue raised by Adwoa Safo is the alleged financial mismanagement in the School Feeding Programme, a government initiative aimed at providing meals to public school students. Safo claimed that she had previously warned party leadership about the misappropriation of funds within the programme and even had an audit report to substantiate her claims. However, she alleged that her concerns were ignored by the President and other key figures within the party. Cudjoe found it particularly troubling that this aspect of Safo’s allegations was downplayed in media reports. He stressed that if such financial irregularities were indeed present, they should have been thoroughly investigated rather than dismissed. These revelations have led to Safo being referred to the NPP’s National Disciplinary Committee for violating the party’s rules on internal discussions. Despite the party's decision, Cudjoe believes that her claims should not be overlooked and that she must be given the platform to present evidence of any wrongdoing.
Cudjoe further advised Adwoa Safo to submit her audit findings on the School Feeding Programme to the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative, a body responsible for investigating corruption and ensuring accountability in governance. He emphasized that exposing such financial mismanagement is essential for government transparency and public trust. By bringing her evidence forward, Safo could contribute to much-needed reforms within the system. Cudjoe maintained that for democracy to function effectively, politicians must be willing to address allegations of corruption openly rather than suppressing them. His remarks highlight the ongoing tensions within the NPP as it navigates internal divisions and post-election challenges. As the debate over party accountability continues, Cudjoe's call for transparency and fair treatment of Adwoa Safo underscores the broader need for responsible governance and ethical leadership in Ghanaian politics.
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