Dancehall Musician Charles Nii Armah Mensah popularly known as Shatta Wale and actor Kofi Adu also known as Agya Koo have allegedly been paid about 2 million Ghana cedis and 250,000 Ghana cedis respectively by the state-owned Exim Bank.
The issue of a possible payment of the colossal amount of monies to Shatta Wale and Agya Koo for brand ambassadorial services was raised at the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) sitting when the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Exim Bank appeared before the committee.
Member of Parliament for Kumbungu Constituency, Ras Mubarak who made the claim alleged that he has seen receipts of the said payment to the two and other brand ambassadors. Ras Mubarak has questioned the amount of money that have been paid to the musician, the actor and others.
The MP is also concerned about the process that led to the award of the brand ambassadorial contract to the two and others he said are politically exposed.
But responding to the allegation, Deputy CEO of the Bank, Kwame Adu Darkwa said he is unaware of the payment made to the brand ambassadors. He explained that the ambassadors are engaged by a communication consultancy firm which the bank hired to assist in its branding.
“I can confirm that as Deputy CEO, Finance of Exim bank, I have not signed or seen a cheque of 2 million cedis to any artiste that you might have mentioned. As far as I’m concerned, it is a media campaign we are running with a consultant,” he stated.
He however justified the decision to engage the brand ambassadors stating that the ambassadors are key to promoting the image of the non-commercial bank.
“You will be surprised about how brand ambassadors can be good in promoting a particular sector. Something that needs to be done is that you’ve done credible work and it will be good for people to know what is being done. It will be good for people know what their options are and having a good brand ambassador to sell your story makes sense,” he argued.
The Chairman of PAC, James Klutse Avedzi who discharged him said he will be made to reappear to answer questions on the alleged payment when the member of the committee, Ras Mubarak makes available the evidence in subsequent sittings.
The Export and Import (Exim) Bank is a non-commercial bank which was setup in 2016 by government of Ghana purposely to provide loans to local businesses with the aim of promoting an export-led economy.
