Chris Etse Azawodi, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the South Tongu constituency of the Volta Region has disappointmentedly revealed what he described as daylight robbery by some men in high places in the NPP party.
According to Mr. Azawodi, in the bid to arrange for financing to clear the vehicles something dramatic happened. Documents were forged between my bankers, UMB and Chairman Freddy Blay to convert documentation of the Vehicles into the name of the latter.
He added that, after he realized the fraud, he protested and quickly tried to avert any underhand dealings by reporting the act to some senior party officials including the President to call Chairman Blay to order which they did. After 16 months of the Vehicles locked up at the warehouse of the bank, Chairman Blay fraudulently registered the vehicles and started using them himself reneging even on the campaign promise of giving it to the Constituencies.
He again approached party elders who advised me to officially lodge a complaint to the police through the deputy IGP Mr Danpare. He directed me to the Financial Fraud Office headed by Mrs Efia Tengey, Eventually the police couldn’t do anything with the excuse that Chairman Blay is too powerful.
In a statement copied to coverghana.com, he outlined how the NPP one constituency one bus branding was procured through his efforts.
Surprisingly, he was left in wonderland and feel maltreated, cheated and sidelined by his own party after several years of sacrifice and toil all in the bid to build a stronger party in South Tongu and Volta Region for that matter.
Mr. Chris Etse Azawodi has called on all well meaning citizens of Ghana especially the people of Tongu and particularly Sokpoe Traditional council and it’s sons and daughters and Volta to rise against the tyranny of Chairman Blay who he think is using his position to work against the party and this may be leading the NPP on a highway to opposition.
Below his the full statement
DAYLIGHT ROBBERY BY MEN IN HIGH PLACES – A CASE OF NPP’S CHRIS ETSE AZAWODI OF SOKPOE IN SOUTH TONGU DISTRICT
This case of Daylight Robbery being perpetuated by the so called most powerful in this government is sickening and nauseous.
I have been a card bearing member of the ruling party NPP since it’s inception and a leading member for that matter. Years back you dare declare yourself as an NPP member in the South Tongu Constituency but I did as a lone ranger until we won power with Former President John Agyekum Kuffour. I was a target for the NDC but I weathered the storm and ensures constant increase in the numbers in the ballot box every voting year.
We have together with all well meaning Patriots worked for our win again in 2016. I supported in cash and kind pulling a lot of youth together continually for the party. It is no secret that through my actions a lot of the youth have drawn closer and now staunch Patriots.
Also, through my business deals, I have supported many youths to set up themselves or into other cooperate institutions.
There were some issues that have been lingering around about some Constituency buses for the NPP before and after national delegate conference to elect party officials.
I want to put on record the following facts:
- I have since 2017 designed a business model of importing Toyota Hiace buses for Constituency Chairmen (who don’t have any appointments in Government to live on) to run transport business in the name of the New Patriotic Party.
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I invited all Constituency Chairmen/chairpersons to a meeting and discussed the business model with them at my own cost. We signed an agreement to that effect on the 25th of October 2017.
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*I personally arranged for an $11m facility from UMB after several discussions with the CEO. They agreed and after negotiations we came up to a 70 – 30 financing agreement of which I deposited $3m as collateral.
They however needed guarantee from the mother party and that was when I discussed the business line with the then Acting Chairman, Freddy Blay.
The loan was approved and granted on the 13th of April 2018 with a letter of credit with swift copy number CHK 56373ACOAOB worth $3.4m for the initial 100 buses.
- After several rounds to and fro Dubai to the dealers ( KELLIOT ROYAL MOTORS) the first consignment of 100 buses was delivered in June 2018 with every documentation including the *bill of laden with number HLCUMCT180501061 in my name. Chairman Blay with my consent through an appeal announced the infamous 1 Constituency 1 Bus policy prior to Congress to elect National Officers for the NPP. This we all know won him the election but was nationally criticized and condemned. This even brought a rift between himself and Togbe Afede VIII the Agbogbomefia of Asogli and the President of the national house of chiefs.
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In the bid to arrange for financing to clear the vehicles something dramatic happened. Documents were forged between my bankers, UMB and Chairman Freddy Blay to convert documentation of the Vehicles into the name of the latter.
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I protested and quickly tried to avert any underhand dealings by reporting the act to some senior party officials including the President to call Chairman Blay to order which they did.
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After 16 months of the Vehicles locked up at the warehouse of the bank, Chairman Blay fraudulently registered the vehicles and started using them himself reneging even on the campaign promise of giving it to the Constituencies.
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I again approached party elders who advised me to officially lodge a complaint to the police through the deputy IGP Mr Danpare. He directed me to the Financial Fraud Office headed by Mrs Efia Tengey. Eventually the police couldn’t do anything with the excuse that Chairman Blay is too powerful.
I was left in wonderland and feel maltreated, cheated and sidelined by my own party after several years of sacrifice and toil all in the bid to build a stronger party in South Tongu and Volta Region for that matter.
I, by this, call on all well meaning citizens of Ghana especially Tongus and particularly Sokpoe Traditional council and it’s sons and daughters and Volta to rise against the tyranny of Chairman Blay who I think is using his position to work against the party and this may be leading us on a highway to opposition.
And help us to resist oppressors rule with all our will and might forever more
Thanks be
SIGNED
CHRIS ETSE AZAWODI
LEADING MEMBER
SOUTH TONGU NPP- VOLTA REGION
0244207152