The assumption of office by Donatus Akamugri, the new Upper East Regional Minister, has been tainted by controversy on his first day in office.
A video circulating on social media shows the Regional Minister ostensibly spraying cash on supporters during his welcome durbar in the afternoon of Sunday, February 2, 2025.
The footage depicts Akamugri taking out the cash from his breast pocket and throwing it into the crowd while standing on the roof of a vehicle.
The video has sparked controversy among Ghanaians on social media, with some condemning the minister’s actions and others calling for his appointment to be revoked by President John Mahama for what they believed is the minister’s arrogance and signs of his opulent nature.
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However, the Upper East Regional Communications Bureau of the NDC has issued a statement clarifying the incident. According to the bureau, the minister was merely showing appreciation to the drumming troupe, a common tradition in the Upper East region.
Part of the statement reads,
“The celebration was marked by traditional drumming, singing, and dancing, reflecting the rich local customs and heritage.
However, certain media reports have inaccurately portrayed a cultural practice as an act of extravagance by the Minister. To set the record straight, here are the facts:
- In the Upper East Region, it is customary for attendees to offer money to traditional performers as a token of appreciation. These performers are not prepaid but rely on such contributions.
- The money given to the performers was not Hon. Akamugri’s personal funds; it was handed to him by the NDC Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Issaka Haruna. The amount consisted of GHS 5 notes, totaling GHS 100”.
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The Upper East Region has an old custom where music troupes invited to perform at traditional events do not charge a fee. Instead, the organizers of the event and patrons may paste cash notes on their foreheads or spray the money on the members of the troupe as they perform.
The custom is believed to encourage the troupe to give a great performance in order to get people to spray them with more cash. Although some troupes in the modern day now charge a fee upfront, the old custom has remained and is frequently practiced at events, and Mr. Akamugri must have taken a cue from it.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the new Upper East Regional Minister’s tenure has gotten off to a rocky start.
Below is the full statement from the Upper East Regional Communications Bureau of the NDC.
