Anger is boiling within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what many describe as an “unacceptable betrayal by Mahama family” with the continued stay in office of several Akufo-Addo-era appointees months after President John Mahama returned to power.
Surprisingly, a national executive of the told this portal the NDC did not fight to hand Akufo-Addo’s appointees a free extension of their terms but says the powers keeping the appointees is from “the very top top with tribalism, cronyism and alleged bribery and other cash and kind favours” keeping the Akufo-Addo appointees in office.
Months earlier, Julius Debrah Chief of Staff denied knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the Director appointment of an Akufo-Addo Deputy CEO at the National Petroleum Authority. Many have questioned the authority of the Chief of Staff if such critical appointments happened without his knowledge or approval with many in the party wondering who called the shots.
Despite clear expectations that the old order would give way to new leadership, key figures from the past administration are still comfortably occupying strategic state positions.
From the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund under Nana Dwemoh Benneh, a former UMB banker with links to the Mahama family, to Ghana Airports Company where Yvonne Opare still calls the shots, through to the Minerals Commission led by Martin Ayisi, NDC members and officials are reportedly fuming.
Other places where Akufo-Addo appointees were either promoted or given new roles when they should have rather left include the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) where former Deputy CEO Linda Asante has been made a Director of Licensing and HSSE when he fellow appointees Mustapha Hamid and Perry Okudzeto were booted out months ago.
At the Forestry Commission, one Dr. Hugh Brown who was appointed as Deputy CEO under Akufo-Addo was promoted to CEO.
At the Public Procurement Authority, it is still headed by Frank Mantey, the story is the same: Akufo-Addo’s men and women remain firmly in charge. Frank Mantey was appointed by President Akufo-Addo as acting CEO in 2021 and confirmed in 2022.
According to insiders and party loyalists, the most annoying for them is the case of the National Petroleum Authority’s Linda Asante who served as Deputy CEO under the NPP and still sits at the heart of affairs as a Director.
At the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Ahmed Jinapor, another figure linked to the old administration, continues to wield authority. The president was allegedly influenced by tribal considerations as they are both Gonjas.
Party grassroots and executives alike see this as a slap in the face of the NDC’s base.
The argument from inside the party is simple: state institutions are not neutral playgrounds. Keeping officials tied to the opposition in such sensitive positions risks sabotage and undermines the confidence of the NDC rank and file.
