Former Vice Chairman and Flag bearer aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah has lashed out at the Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch, Ben Ephson saying he is unreliable.
Dr Spio Garbrah says Ben Ephson�s newspaper�s report that he earns $10,000 every month as a Member of the Board of Anglogold Ashanti is inaccurate and not factual.
In its Tuesday, May 24 edition, the Daily Dispatch said its investigations have revealed that Dr Spio-Garbrah, who chose to serve on the Anglogold Ashanti Board, earns at least US$120,000 a year and in addition, he wanted to be made the Chairman of at least two other boards, GETFund and COCOBOD.
But speaking on Adom FM on Tuesday, Dr Spio-Garbrah rubbished the newspaper�s claims saying the amount quoted was not even true because he received far less.
He said even the Chairman of the Anglogold Board did not receive the amount the paper alleges he receives saying there was certainly no way he could be paid that much. In any case, the company, he argued, could not possibly pay that amount in addition to its corporate social responsibility projects and still be in business.
He challenged Mr Ben Ephson to stop cooking up figures and conduct his own checks at the company�s offices on the allowances the Board of Directors receive adding it is not his responsibility to as a Board member publicly declare how much board members are paid.
Dr Spio-Garbrah disclosed that he was not in the country to amass unnecessary wealth and that if his only motive had been to make money, he would have accepted the request from the South African President, Jacob Zuma to serve on a Board in the country.
He said he has the interest of the nation at heart and will not indulge in selfish acts that would cost the nation a lot of money.
Explaining his decision to contest the flag-bearership race of the NDC, Dr Spio-Garbrah, who is the former head of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation said he came to pick up the nomination forms as a symbol of the need for peace in the party.
He stated that even if it has to take him and the other aspirants; President Mills and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, all stepping down to ensure peace and unity in the party, he would do everything possible to ensure that the decision is taken.
Commenting on how his campaign is going, he disclosed that the endorsement process is going on smoothly even though some intimidation has been encountered, alleging that some of the people they have approached have been reluctant to sign for fear of being tagged as belonging to one faction.
He revealed that he knew beforehand that he would face some challenges in his bid so he is not really surprised at what is happening now but expressed optimism that he would overcome them and emerge victorious at the NDC�s July Congress.
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