PHOTO: Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
The office of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is in the spotlight after explosive allegations surfaced of inflating Ghana’s e-immigration project cost from $20 million to an eye-watering $240 million. Policy advocate Serlom Branttie, who made the damning claim in a Facebook post, has fueled a firestorm of outrage and calls for accountability.
According to Branttie, the project, initially pegged at $20 million under World Bank funding, was ramped up to a bloated $240 million under Dr. Bawumia’s supervision. Even more shocking, he alleges that air travellers are being saddled with an $11 surcharge for e-immigration verification—a cost that reportedly channels $11 million annually into private pockets linked to the Vice President’s allies.
“Choose your leaders wisely,” Branttie wrote, slamming Dr. Bawumia’s supposed hypocrisy. “This is a man who says he will reduce taxes but inflates costs to benefit just one entity that his office deals with.”
The post, accompanied by a detailed breakdown of the project’s budget, has been met with outrage from all corners. Social media has been alight with comments ranging from shock to outright condemnation. Critics accuse the government of exploiting Ghanaians for the benefit of a privileged few.
“How do we justify such gross financial misconduct if these allegations are true?” one commentator asked, adding that it raises serious concerns about Dr Bawumia’s much-touted fiscal discipline.
Civil society groups are now demanding an independent probe to unravel the truth behind the alleged budget bloat and the supposed windfall for insiders.
As the allegations gain traction, the Vice President’s office has remained conspicuously silent. Critics warn that without a swift and transparent response, the government risks further eroding public trust as the December 2024 elections loom.
The e-immigration scandal, if proven true, could deal a significant blow to the Vice President’s credibility. It’s no longer just a question of inflated budgets but of leadership integrity—an issue Ghana can ill afford to ignore.
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