John Dramani Mahama, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for filling government positions with cronies and family members, overlooking qualified individuals.
At his Governance Forum on October 31, Mahama challenged justifications that the President’s family members are the most qualified.
Mahama emphasized the need for regional balance in appointments, stressing that the President should be fair and balanced in his selections, as mandated by the Constitution.
He also pointed out that this practice has led to the neglect of qualified individuals who are not close relations.
Mahama’s criticism comes amid widespread discontent with the Akufo-Addo administration’s handling of the economy, which has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement.
“I do think that it’s something we must look at. When we have raised issues about the family and friends under this current Akufo-Addo administration, the response we’re met with is, is it the president’s fault if he has as many qualified people in his family? Who doesn’t have many qualified people in his family? We all have many qualified people in our family. But it’s ethically wrong to fill the government with just people who you have a close relationship with.
“I was open to scrutiny when I was President, the only person who was linked to me by blood was my current spokesperson, Bawa Mogtari. Aside from that, no blood relation of mine was a Minister, District Chief Executive or anything or other such position in my government.
“And so, it’s something we will adhere to, we think that the opportunities of this country should be open to everybody. We have 16 regions… I do believe that it’s the personal testament of the person who leads that will avoid nepotism.
“The constitution gives the president that authority but one would expect that in making those appointments he would be fair and balanced and he will open the opportunity for people to serve who are not within his immediate family circle.”
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