There has been speculation that journalists who attended Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s Meet the Press event were paid substantial sums. Onua TV presenter Captain Smart stirred these rumors by claiming that each journalist received GH₵20,000.

Fact-Check Ghana investigated and found that while journalists were indeed compensated, the amounts ranged from GH₵2,000 to GH₵10,000.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Communication for the Bawumia Campaign, stated, “I haven’t given any GHS20,000 or 10,000 to any media house. The highest amount of money any media person received was between GHS2,000 and GHS5,000. They are all not the same, some were even bloggers.” He also confirmed 220 journalist were invited.

He further explained that journalists from outside Accra received additional funds to cover their accommodation and transportation. “Take someone who came from Kumasi or Tamale, for instance, if you give them GHS5,000 or GHS7,000 then you must add their accommodation and transport to ensure you have covered them.”

Despite Aboagye’s explanation, some journalists reported receiving GH₵10,000, which did not include transport or accommodation costs. Some based in Accra also confirmed receiving GH₵10,000 without the need for accommodation or travel arrangements, fact check Ghana reported.