Former Member of Parliament for the Okaikwei North constituency, Fuseini Issah, has refuted claims made by NPP presidential aspirant and Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, suggesting that he was offered $800 million to withdraw from the race.

In an interview with Time FM, Mr Agyapong said, “Does he know the number of people who have approached me but for the love of Ghana and the delegates I have said I will never do it?

"The money they offered is $800 million, if he doesn’t know. He should ask Mr Oppong Bio, if that is what they are saying but I said no I will not step down, Ghana first.

“In 2016, you people were not able to buy pickups. How come today you are able to offer me $800 million? So I said I won’t step down…” he stated.

But Fuseini Issah believes it is highly improbable as the government, due to the economic crisis, went for a $3 billion External Credit Facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to him, it would be unwise for the government to make such a move when it is working assiduously to see the economy recover.

"$800 million is a lot of money. This country is currently under an IMF programme. We went to the IMF for $3 billion and we are getting tranches of $600 million. Where are we going to get $800 million to give to Honourable Ken Agyapong," Mr Issah said.

Meanwhile, the campaign team of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has outrightly rejected claims by Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, that their candidate offered him $800 million to withdraw from the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) flagbearer race slated for November 4, 2023.

Dr Gideon Boako, the spokesperson for the Vice President in a press statement noted that the Dr Bawumia, since he entered the NPP race, has not privately met Mr Agyapong and neither has he nor his camp met the Assin Central MP to "negotiate anything in respect of this contest."

"The Vice President and his team consider this $800 million claim as absolutely ridiculous, and it shows gross disregard for the intelligence of Ghanaians," the statement added.

According to the camp, this is so because "Dr. Bawumia is, and has always been confident that by the Grace of God, he will defeat Hon. Kennedy Agyapong quite well on November 4th" thus" has never entertained any wish for him to step down from the contest.''

"It is instructive to note that the latest allegation by Kennedy Agyapong, is a rehash of a similar allegation he made about a month ago, claiming without proof, that he was offered money to step down and be a running mate to Dr. Bawumia - a baseless claim we publicly denied on September 30, 2023."

"The Vice President is a man noted for his modesty, and he remains committed to his life-long values of serving people with his intellect. While urging the public to disregard such outrageous lies, directed subtly at the Bawumia Campaign, we also reiterate Dr. Bawumia's commitment to running a decent campaign devoid of personality attacks, lies, and insults to preserve the unity of our great party," the statement added.