The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has refuted allegations that she ordered the arrest of a University of Ghana security personnel who was captured in a viral video accusing her of vote-buying.
The security officer claimed in the video that during Lydia's four-year administration, he had received no benefits from her. However, with the election approaching, Lydia allegedly brought him rice and oil to induce him to vote for her.
Another video later circulated, showing the security officer being escorted by uniformed men to a pickup vehicle, with commentary suggesting that the arrest was ordered from above.
Responding to the allegations in an interview with the media on December 2, 2024, during the special voting, the MP, who also serves as the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, clarified:
“Let me address this. Recently, the gentleman in the viral video talking about me giving him rice is an NDC executive. I didn’t respond initially because we are close to the election, and I wouldn’t do anything to mar the hard work I have put in. They always mention my name and try to destroy my hard-earned reputation.
“Looking at me with this kind of temperament, would I go and say that I am arresting someone for saying something against me? We are in a country where we have freedom of speech. So, if they have hired someone to say what he did, I will never do anything that will tarnish my image,” she said.
She added, “How can I cause the arrest of an elderly person who is almost close to his pension, for what reason? If someone said he would not vote for me, would I go and arrest that person? I am not that kind of person.”
