Mahama’s cash sharing a sign of desperation - Minority Leader

President John Mahama’s cash sharing spree to court cheap votes as the December 7 election nears is unfortunate and a sign of desperation, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has said.

Mahama was captured on an amateur video footage dolling out cash to some persons during his campaign tour of the Greater Accra region at Abossey Okai, but the presidency dismissed the video.

Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, on Thursday dismissed the report, saying presidents do not carry money with them.

“It is also possible that it could be a leaflet. Anytime the president walks, he does not carry cash on him and that is the tradition from generations. So I will be very surprised if the president had cash on him,” Mr. Debrah said during an interview with Joy FM.

The explanation by Mr. Debrah is "comical", retorted the Minority leader. “Was it a toilet paper he was throwing to the crowd?” he asked during an interview on Accra FM Friday.

He said footage of the president’s sharing cash during his campaign tour is unequivocally glaring and indisputable.

“We have had a government that, for the first time, is bribing and sharing physical cash openly. It shows that John Mahama is very desperate. If you claim you have performed well in office, let those achievements speak for you.

“Why are you going about sharing money? Why are you buying Land Cruisers for chiefs? Why are you distributing sewing machines to people in the villages? If you claim the living conditions have improved under your government, why are you sharing these items to voters?

“Let the supposed improved living conditions of Ghanaians speak for you and allow the people to vote on their own convictions. It tells how desperate they are,” Mensah-Bonsu said.