MP In Visa Fraud- Part 2

The Member of Parliament for Asunafo North Constituency, Robert Sarfo Mensah, has been having the most torrid experience of his life following last Wednesday’s visa deal scandal broken by The Lens.

He has since the publication persistently made denials and heaped the blame on the Ghana Belgium Chamber of Commerce. This has further infuriated many of his victims.

His victims have informed The Lens that as long as the MP continues to make such denials they will make sure he knows no peace unless he gets their monies refunded to them.

Mr. Akwasi Afari, a tyre repairer at the Goaso lorry station, who was a victim to Mr. Sarfo Mensah’s visa deal, said he had paid 32 million cedis to the MP for the visa. He told The Lens his harrowing tale amidst tears.

Calling into question the honesty of the MP, Akwasi Afari opined that other victims should not bother to go to court for their money because the MP has lots of connection and influence that he will certainly use to his advantage in the district and the region.

Akwasi Afari, who has retrieved part of his visa money, said he got that money only when he became violent towards the MP and Alhaji Ishak Abubakar Bonsu, the District Chief Executive of the area. He has also sworn to go every length to collect his remaining 5 million cedis.

In May 19, 2007, one Banahene, another victim, who paid 33 million cedis, violently attacked the MP at the funeral of the late Anthony Yeboah Boateng at the St. Anthony Cathedral in Goaso, the district capital of Asunafo North.

It took the intervention of the Hon. Prince Diawuo, the Assembly Member for Fawohoyeden Electoral Area in the Asunafo North District and Sgt. Ignatius Bafour Awuah, the divisional Police Commander to restore calm. Banahene, however collected 17 million as a part of his visa money from Mac Donkor, a leading member of NPP and a nephew of former MP Hon. David Amankwah. When the Lens contacted Banahene on phone, he declined comment.

Information gathered indicates that some victims have also sworn to resort to the same means since that is the only option left to them to retrieve their hard gotten money from the MP.

The Lens has gathered that so far, only two people have been able to collect their monies in full and they accomplished the feat by physically confronting the MP.

Some of the victims include John Adjei, 32 million cedis; Isaac Bayeh, 32 million cedis; Kwasi Aboagye, 15 million cedis; Adjowah Fordjour, 32 million cedis; Ajoawah Korantenmah, 16 million cedis;

The others are: Kweku Gyamfi popularly known as Alhaji, 50 million; Yaw Badu, 32 million cedis; George Baye, 32 million cedis; George Bofah, 33 miilion; Samson and Emmanuel from Hwedein, 32 million cedis and 30 million cedis respectively.

Some residents who spoke to The Lens wonder why the victims being paid in bits if indeed it is the Ghana Belgium Chamber of Commerce that really is to be blamed.