The Director of Field Operations for the United Party, Hopeson Adorye, has accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of attempting to manufacture controversy in a bid to smear the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, Mr Adorye claimed the NPP Minority in Parliament was “in deep waters” and merely searching for a non-existent scandal to associate with the current administration.

“NPP is in deep waters, fishing for a scandal to tag this government. That is all,” he said. “All they are doing is just fishing for a scandal that does not exist.”

His comments follow calls by the Minority in Parliament, led by the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, for a full criminal investigation into the operations of Atlas Commodities.

The Minority has alleged that the company operated in warehouses registered under the Produce Buying Company (PBC) without proper authorisation and raised concerns about possible regulatory breaches and conflict of interest involving the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

Mr Adorye, however, questioned the basis of the allegations, arguing that previous employment with a private firm does not automatically suggest continued involvement once an individual assumes public office.

“Someone has worked with a company before and is now the CEO. Is he still working with the company? That’s one thing we should do. And I don’t think the gentleman is still working with Atlas,” he stated.

He also cast doubt on claims that the official in question had direct authority over contract awards.

“Awarding contracts — is it the deputy CEO who awards the contracts?” he asked.

Mr Adorye stressed that the individual at the centre of the controversy had expressed readiness to cooperate fully with any investigation.

“The difference here is that the gentleman has welcomed the investigations, the probe. He is willing to avail himself for any probe that they want to conduct,” he said.

However, he cautioned against what he described as politically motivated investigations, warning that the state could incur unnecessary costs if the allegations prove unfounded.

“When they finish, either both sides are guilty or not guilty. If he’s not guilty, then what is the point? You have wasted state money. Because a probe is not just a probe,” he argued.

Despite his criticism of the opposition, Mr Adorye commended the government for supporting the investigative process, insisting that the outcome should be respected regardless of the findings.

“We applaud the government for initiating this and giving full support to this probe. They should do it, whatever the outcome may be. We’ll come here and then see,” he said.

He maintained that the Minority’s actions were politically driven.

“My conclusion is that the NPP Minority in Parliament are in deep waters, fishing for a scandal just to tag the NDC,” he reiterated.