Bright Kwabena Sikanku, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Constituency Chairman for Asuogyaman in the Eastern region and a nominee for the position of District Chief Executive (DCE), has denied allegations that he presented falsified academic qualifications in his application.
In a press release issued on January 31, 2025, Sikanku clarified that the confusion stemmed from an error made by an assistant who helped fill out his application forms.
He maintained that he had presented a Diploma in Business Studies (Purchasing, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management option) from the London International Organization for Capacity Building, an affiliate of Accra Business School, which remains verifiable.
He further emphasized that he never presented any certificate from Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) to the party or vetting committee and criticized the petitioners for misrepresenting a clerical mistake as falsification.
“All the original certificates I presented, as required by the party, are in the custody of the appointing authorities at both the regional and national levels of our party, and I have confidence in the mechanisms by which they verify the qualification of anyone,” part of the statement said.
His denial comes in response to a petition submitted on January 29, 2025, by a group of concerned NDC members in the constituency.
The petition called for the withdrawal of Sikanku’s nomination, alleging that he falsely claimed to have obtained a Diploma in Purchasing, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management from GCTU.
According to the petitioners, an investigation revealed that Sikanku had never attended GCTU, with the university formally confirming that no such qualification was awarded to him.
The group, led by convener Anthony Kwabena Sah, asserts that this alleged falsification raises serious concerns about Sikanku’s integrity and suitability for public office.
“For a position of such responsibility, we expect someone who embodies the values of honesty, accountability, and ethical leadership qualities that Mr. Sikanku’s actions appear to contradict,” Sah stated.
Additionally, the petition references an earlier complaint accusing Sikanku of the unaccounted sale of two Mahindra pickups, which were party assets. Petitioners, including Akrofi Joseph, argue that these actions raise concerns about his ability to manage public resources effectively.
Sikanku called on the public to disregard what he described as unfounded allegations aimed at defaming his character and causing disaffection against him.
Read the full statement below:
BRIGHT K SIKANKU
AKWAMU – POWMU
ASUOGYAMAN
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31ST January 2025.
RESPONSE TO THE ALLEGATION OF FALSE EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
My attention has been drawn to a publication on Ghanaweb, an online publication platform, to the effect that, an NDC group from Asuogyaman Constituency in the Eastern Region has petitioned my political party alleging that, I, Bright Sikanku presented a falsified certificate in my application for the District Chief Executive (DCE).
I would wish to directly and unequivocally address the allegations by first of all, completely denying this allegation of falsification of educational qualification.
I state categorically that, all certificates I presented in my application to be considered for the position of the District Chief Executive for Asuogyaman are authentic and verifiable from the institutions.
The confusion appears to have come from an error made by the person who assisted me in filling out the application forms.
For the records, I presented a certificate of Diploma in Business Studies (Purchasing, Logistics and Supply Chain Management option), awarded to me in 2014 by London International Organization for Capacity Building, an affiliate of Accra Business School.
It was this information that my assistant quoted wrongly, which was a mistake and not intended to mislead or falsify any information, as the petitioners wants to portray. Anyone who wish to, can verify this information from Accra Business School.
In fact, I did not present any certificate to my party or the vetting committee, to the effect that, I attended Ghana Communication Technology University and wonder how a simple mistake on a filled CV would be concluded by anyone to have amounted to falsification.
All the original certificates I presented, as required by the party, are in the custody of the appointing authorities at both the regional and national levels of our party, and I have confidence in the mechanisms by which they verify the qualification of anyone.
I therefore call on the public and all interested parties to disregard all these unfounded allegations aimed at defaming my character and causing disaffection for me. I remain firmly focused and ready to serve the NDC, Asuogyaman and Ghana with honesty, dedication, and transparency at all times.
Eye Zu! Eye Za!
Thank You.
signed
Bright Kwabena Sikanku
(Constituency Chairman, Asuogyaman)
AM/KA
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