By In the realm of politics, where trust is the currency of public support, financial accountability remains a cornerstone of integrity. The recent allegations leveled by Dr. Charles Dwamena, the National Treasurer of Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), against Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a prominent party figure, underscore a persistent challenge in political financing: the lack of transparency and accountability.
As a writer with an unwavering commitment to financial principles, I find Dr. Dwamena’s statement in the Oquaye Report both alarming and emblematic of a broader systemic issue. His assertion that “all the funds allocated to Dennis Miracles Aboagye remain unaccounted for” and that Aboagye avoided calls pressing for accountability demands a critical examination.
This article analyzes the implications of these allegations, situates them within the context of campaign finance in Ghana, and advocates for robust regulatory reforms to safeguard public trust and party integrity.
The Allegations: A Breach of Financial Trust
Dr. Charles Dwamena, popularly known as “Dr. China,” has been a vocal proponent of financial accountability within the NPP. In his role as National Treasurer, he has emphasized the non-negotiable nature of proper accounting for campaign funds. His statement on page 97 of the Oquaye Report, a document purportedly reviewing the NPP’s 2024 election campaign, alleges that Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Communications for the Bawumia 2024 Campaign Team, failed to account for funds allocated to him.
The gravity of this claim is compounded by Dwamena’s assertion that Aboagye actively evaded efforts to enforce accountability by avoiding his calls. These allegations, echoed across multiple posts on X, raise serious questions about the management of campaign resources within one of Ghana’s major political parties.
Aboagye, a seasoned politician and presidential staffer responsible for Local Government and Decentralization, has denied similar accusations in the past. In March 2025, he dismissed claims by Yaw Adomako Baafi, a former NPP Communications Director, that he was “hoarding party funds” meant for media and communicators. Aboagye clarified that he was not the Director of Finance and had no direct control over campaign funds, stating, “If campaign money was to be disbursed, it had to go through the Director of Finance.”
While Aboagye’s defense may hold in the context of his role, it does not directly address Dwamena’s specific allegations regarding unaccounted funds. The absence of a detailed rebuttal from Aboagye on this matter, coupled with his reported avoidance of Dwamena’s inquiries, fuels speculation and erodes trust within the party and among the public.
The Broader Context: Campaign Finance in Ghana
The allegations against Aboagye are not isolated but reflect a systemic issue in Ghanaian politics: the lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework for campaign financing. Unlike countries with stringent laws governing political donations, expenditures, and reporting, Ghana’s campaign finance landscape remains largely unregulated.
The Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), requires parties to submit annual financial statements to the Electoral Commission, but it lacks specific provisions for campaign funds, including limits on contributions, mandatory disclosures, or penalties for non-compliance. This regulatory gap creates fertile ground for mismanagement, whether intentional or inadvertent, and undermines public confidence in political processes.
Dr. Dwamena’s broader advocacy for accountability aligns with his earlier actions. In December 2024, he debunked claims of financial impropriety regarding a GH¢4,203,100 donation from “Friends of Dr. Bawumia” for printing party ID cards, emphasizing that funds were disbursed with approval from the National Chairman and General Secretary.
He also called for all members of the Bawumia 2024 Campaign Team to account for allocated resources, stating, “Proper accountability is non-negotiable.” This commitment to transparency is commendable but highlights the absence of institutional mechanisms to enforce it. Without a regulatory framework, accountability relies on individual diligence, leaving room for disputes like the one involving Aboagye.
Implications for the NPP and Ghanaian Politics
The allegations against Aboagye carry significant implications for the NPP, particularly as the party grapples with its 2024 election loss. Internal tensions, as evidenced by Aboagye’s acknowledgment of resentment from older party members, are exacerbated by financial disputes. Unresolved allegations of fund mismanagement can deepen factionalism, weaken party cohesion, and alienate grassroots supporters who rely on transparent leadership.
Moreover, the public nature of these claims, amplified on platforms like X, risks damaging the NPP’s reputation as a party committed to governance and accountability. For Ghanaian politics at large, this case underscores the urgent need for campaign finance reform. Unaccounted funds not only erode trust but also raise questions about the influence of money in elections.
When campaign resources are mismanaged, they fail to reach intended beneficiaries—such as communicators, as alleged by Adomako Baafi—or support critical campaign activities, potentially affecting electoral outcomes. The disparity highlighted by Baafi, where the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly paid its media team GH¢1,000 while NPP communicators were neglected, illustrates how financial mismanagement can undermine campaign effectiveness.
A Call for Reform: Building a Transparent Framework
I echo Dr. Dwamena’s call for accountability and propose the following reforms to address the campaign finance crisis in Ghana:
- Legislative Framework: Enact a Campaign Finance Act that mandates detailed reporting of all campaign contributions and expenditures, with clear limitsátum on donation amounts and sources. This law should require real-time disclosures during election periods and impose penalties for non-compliance.
- Independent Oversight: Establish an independent body, such as a Campaign Finance Commission, to monitor compliance, audit party accounts, and investigate allegations of mismanagement. This body should have the authority to sanction violators and ensure transparency.
- Internal Party Mechanisms: Political parties must institutionalize financial controls, including mandatory audits of campaign funds and clear delineation of roles for fund management. The NPP’s requirement for National Chairman and General Secretary approval is a step in the right direction but needs enforcement mechanisms.
- Public Access to Information: Make campaign finance reports publicly accessible to foster accountability and allow citizens to scrutinize how parties manage resources. Transparency is a deterrent to mismanagement and a tool for public engagement.
- Capacity Building: Train party treasurers and campaign managers on financial management and compliance to prevent inadvertent errors and ensure adherence to best practices.
Conclusion: Restoring Trust Through Accountability
Dr. Charles Dwamena’s allegations against Dennis Miracles Aboagye are a clarion call for reform in Ghana’s campaign finance system. While the specifics of the unaccounted funds remain unresolved, the broader issue is clear: without a robust regulatory framework, allegations of mismanagement will persist, eroding trust in political institutions. As an accountant, I stand firm on the principle that financial integrity is non-negotiable. The NPP, and indeed all political parties, must prioritize transparency to rebuild public confidence and strengthen democratic processes.
The path forward requires courage—from party leaders to demand accountability, from legislators to enact reforms, and from citizens to hold politicians accountable. Let the Oquaye Report’s revelations be a catalyst for change, ensuring that campaign funds serve their intended purpose: advancing democratic ideals, not personal agendas. Only through collective action can we transform Ghana’s political landscape into one defined by trust, accountability, and integrity.
Sources:
- Dr. Charles Dwamena’s statement, Oquaye Report, Page 97, cited in posts on X
- Dennis Miracles Aboagye’s response to Yaw Adomako Baafi, Ghanaweb.com, March 11, 2025
- Dr. Charles Dwamena’s statements on party donations, Adomonline.com, December 31, 2024
- Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), Ghana Legal Framework
Note: The Oquaye Report is referenced based on X posts, as the full document is not publicly available. Allegations remain inconclusive without verified evidence. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate all claims and advocate for transparency in political financing.
