Ayariga denies Castle meeting for serial callers

Presidential spokesperson Mahama Ayariga Presidential spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga, has denied meeting with serial callers of the ruling party at the Castle Osu. Mr Ayariga’s denial of the purported meeting follows an allegation by a popular serial caller, Mr Osei Yaw Nketia, otherwise known as Dr. Asem Fofro, that party functionaries are sideling him in the distribution of rewards for propaganda done for the party over the years. “There was no meeting of serial callers because this is not where serial callers meet,” Mr Ayariga said and also hinted that: "The presidency must be kept out of any of these discussions." Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News bulleting, Mr Ayariga admitted, however, that he met with “two or three” activists of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at his office Monday over a different agenda. He explained that the mission of the supporters was to seek his permission to issue a press statement aimed at rebutting bad press against him following his recent travel to Bawku. Media reports linked the presidential spokesperson to violence in the northern Ghana town which resulted in the death of six. Dr. Asem Fofro who supports the ruling NDC generated headlines in 2007 when he told former President John Kufuor at a People’s Assembly meeting in Cape Coast to invoke a curse if he (Kufuor) had not dipped his hands into state coffers. He said after he confronted the then president, he was subjected to intense pressure to apologise to Mr Kufuor. Mr Nketia told Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoe that he has the strongest suspicion that he is being sidelined because he rendered the apology to Mr Kufuor. The party activist said he was prevented from entering the Castle to participate in the meeting of serial callers on Thursday during which he alleged each person was given GH¢500. He also claimed he was recently excluded when the presidential spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga allegedly made available GH¢8,000 to be given to all NDC serial callers. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana