By A bombshell allegation from page 111 of the Oquaye Report, a purported internal review of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 election campaign, has ignited controversy in Ghana’s political landscape. The report claims that Evans Nimako, the NPP’s Director of Elections, assured regional and constituency election directorates that the Electoral Commission (EC), under Chairperson Jean Mensa, had agreed to manipulate the electoral process in the NPP’s favor.
These assurances, allegedly backed by a meeting with presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia confirming the release of campaign funds, led directorates to forgo financial demands. However, the EC reportedly failed to deliver, with Nimako citing an insufficient vote margin as the reason. Compounding the issue, the whereabouts of the allocated funds remain unclear. This article seeks to verify these claims, analyze their implications, and advocate for transparency to safeguard Ghana’s democratic integrity.
Verification Challenges: The Oquaye Report’s Elusive Status
Verifying the allegations is fraught with challenges, primarily due to the Oquaye Report’s inaccessibility. Despite references on platforms like X and a GhanaWeb article dated April 18, 2025, noting the NPP’s decision not to release the report to “shield actors” of the 2024 defeat, the document itself is not publicly available. Without access to page 111, the claims attributed to the regional and constituency election directorates cannot be directly substantiated. The lack of primary source material raises questions about the report’s authenticity and the accuracy of quoted excerpts circulating online.
Efforts to corroborate the allegations through secondary sources yield limited results. Evans Nimako, a prominent NPP figure and Director of Elections, has made public statements emphasizing the party’s commitment to electoral integrity. For instance, on September 23, 2024, he dismissed claims of ballot swapping, stating on JoyNews’ Newsfile, “We must not entertain such ideas in our discourse,” underscoring the NPP’s focus on transparency.
Similarly, Jean Mensa, EC Chairperson since July 2018, has overseen reforms like the 2024 voter registration exercise, which she defended as transparent during an October 1, 2024, IPAC meeting. No public statements from Nimako or Mensa directly address the Oquaye Report’s allegations, and neither has been linked to verified evidence of electoral manipulation.
The claim that Nimako assured directorates of EC collusion contradicts his documented stance on peace and fairness. On December 28, 2024, he told journalists the NPP prioritized “peace and stability” during the elections, avoiding confrontations. Likewise, Mensa’s EC reported high voter turnout in the December 2, 2024, special voting exercise, with no reported irregularities. These records suggest a functioning electoral process, casting doubt on claims of premeditated compromise. However, the absence of the Oquaye Report and the lack of response from named parties leave the allegations unverified, necessitating cautious analysis.
Analysis: Implications of the Allegations
If true, the allegations would constitute a grave breach of democratic principles. Collusion between a political party and the EC, an independent body mandated by the 1992 Constitution and the Electoral Commission Act (Act 451) of 1993, would undermine public trust in Ghana’s elections. Jean Mensa’s role as EC Chairperson, appointed by President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2018, has been contentious, with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) labeling her “pro-NPP” in 2024. Yet, no concrete evidence has substantiated claims of bias, and her tenure has seen successful electoral exercises, including the 2020 election where she declared Akufo-Addo president-elect.
The financial aspect of the allegations is equally troubling. The claim that directorates refrained from demanding funds based on Nimako’s assurances, only to later question their whereabouts, echoes other financial disputes within the NPP. Dr. Charles Dwamena, the NPP National Treasurer, alleged in the Oquaye Report (page 97) that Dennis Miracles Aboagye failed to account for campaign funds, a claim Aboagye denied, stating he was not the Director of Finance. The recurrence of unaccounted funds suggests systemic weaknesses in the NPP’s financial management, a concern amplified by the party’s 2024 election loss.
Nimako’s alleged explanation—that the EC couldn’t deliver due to an insufficient vote margin—implies a manipulated process contingent on close results, a scenario both implausible and unverified given the EC’s procedural safeguards, such as IPAC oversight and media accreditation for 10,000 journalists. The NDC’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, with John Mahama as president-elect, further complicates the narrative, as it suggests the EC did not favor the NPP as claimed.
Broader Context: Electoral Integrity and Party Accountability
Ghana’s electoral system, while robust, is not immune to criticism. The 2020 election faced allegations of irregularities, prompting NDC’s 34 reform proposals, which Nimako called “bizarre” in 2021. The EC’s response, directing reforms to IPAC, reflects a commitment to multi-party dialogue. However, incidents like the 2020 SALL disenfranchisement led to calls for Mensa’s removal, later withdrawn by #FixTheCountry activists. These events highlight the need for continuous electoral reform to prevent perceptions of bias.
Within the NPP, internal divisions exacerbated by financial disputes threaten cohesion. The Oquaye Report, if authentic, could deepen factionalism, especially as Nimako predicted a 2024 victory that did not materialize. The party’s decision to withhold the report suggests an intent to manage fallout, but transparency could better address public skepticism.
Call to Action: Transparency and Reform
The unverified nature of these allegations demands urgent action:
- Release the Oquaye Report: The NPP must make the report public to allow scrutiny of claims and foster accountability. Suppression fuels distrust.
- Independent Investigation: The EC and judiciary should probe allegations of collusion, ensuring impartiality and public reporting.
- Campaign Finance Reform: Enact laws mandating transparent reporting of political funds to prevent mismanagement, as seen in recurring NPP disputes.
- Strengthen EC Oversight: Enhance IPAC’s role and public access to electoral data to bolster confidence in the EC’s independence.
- Public Engagement: Citizens must demand accountability from political actors, using platforms like X to amplify verified information.
Conclusion: Safeguarding Ghana’s Democracy
The allegations against Evans Nimako and Jean Mensa, while unverified, underscore the fragility of trust in Ghana’s electoral system. Without the Oquaye Report or corroborating evidence, these claims remain speculative, but their circulation on X and media platforms highlights the need for transparency. As an advocate for electoral integrity, I urge the NPP, EC, and civil society to address these concerns head-on, ensuring that democracy is not undermined by unaccounted funds or unproven promises. Ghana’s future depends on a system where every vote counts and every cedi is accounted for.
