NPP Denies Brandcom’s $280K Anti‑Mahama Campaign Claims, Threatens Legal Action
ACCRA, GHANA — The New Patriotic Party has issued a forceful denial of allegations that it commissioned a Ukrainian agency Brandcom to orchestrate an online smear campaign against presidential candidate John Mahama during the 2024 elections. The party described the claims—circulated in a pre-litigation notice demanding US$280,000—as “completely false, baseless, and defamatory.”
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Brandcom’s Allegations: What Were They?
Ukrainian PR agency Brandcom claimed the NPP engaged it to manage a covert digital campaign employing 430 fake social media accounts, alongside producing 87 political memes and four critical videos targeting Mahama’s “24-hour economy” pledge.
The firm asserted that after the NPP lost power following the December 2024 polls, the party failed to pay the contracted amount, prompting legal threats and potential publication of recorded communications.
NPP’s Response: Full Disavowal & Legal Warning
The party’s National Communications Directorate explicitly stated:
“NPP has no contractual relationship—past or present—with any entity known as Brandcom, based in Ukraine or elsewhere.”
It further affirmed that it never authorised any foreign agency to run fake accounts or smear campaign content, insisting its electoral campaigns remained anchored in integrity and issue-based messaging.
The NPP has threatened to initiate legal proceedings against Brandcom and any media organisation that republishes the allegations without verification.
Investigative Insight: Political Communication Under Scrutiny
The scandal underscores growing scrutiny over digital campaign practices, foreign involvement in local politics, and the influence of online disinformation in elections.
Tensions remain high in Ghana over how political messaging was disseminated in 2024. Even John Mahama accused the NPP of leveraging “fake news machinery” to undermine his image.
Independent analysis by journalists revealed evidence linking pro-Mahama smearing accounts to IP addresses in Kyiv and prior use in propaganda operations, which Brandcom denies.
Why It Matters
Public trust in democratic elections hinges on transparency in political sponsorship and campaign financing.
If Brandcom’s allegations prove substantiated, it could signify foreign intervention in Ghana’s political discourse.
The NPP’s aggressive rebuttal and legal posture marks a turning point in how Ghanaian parties address online reputational threats.
Source: My News Ghana
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