Some Ghanaian journalists who participated in a media encounter with New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have admitted to receiving payment for their role in the QandA session.According to a report by FactCheckGhana.com, some journalists confirmed in an interview that they received up to GHS10,000 for the event which was held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel on August 25, 2024.One of the journalists dispelled rumours of receiving GHS20,000, stating instead that he received GHS10,000.'I received GHS10,000, not GHS20,000. They also paid for my flight and accommodation for one night,' one of them whose name was not mentioned is quoted to have told Fact-Check Ghana.According to the report, the journalist revealed that they were made to sign against their names before receiving the cash. 'I can only speak about what I received, which was GHS10,000, and I signed for it,' another journalist is reported to have said.The Director of Communication for the Bawumia Campaign, Dennis Miracle Abo agye is also reported to have confirmed the invitation of 220 journalists but denied that they paid journalists GHS10,000.'I haven't given any GHS20,000 or GHS10,000 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 said.Aboagye further explained that the journalists who were invited from outside Accra were provided more money 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.'Meanwhile, the report further detailed that contrary to Dennis Aboagye's explanation, some of the journalists who were contacted from outside Accra said they received GHS10,000, and that was not to cater for their transport or accommodation. Indeed, some journalists based in Accra who were neither accommodated nor flown to Accra also conf irmed receiving GHS10,000 while others said they were either paid GHS2,000, GHS3,000, or GHS5,000.Source: Ghana Web