Tensions In NDC Against Mahama And Brothers For Retaining 14 Akufo-Addo Top Appointees [LIST]

Discontent is brewing within the ranks of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as several grassroots members and senior officials are angry and frustrated over President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to retain or promote a number of high-profile appointees from the former Akufo-Addo administration.

In the first part of the series by MyNewsGh.com, the spotlight will be thrown on particular institutions whose CEOs and Deputy CEOs were either maintained or promoted by President Mahama on the alleged instructions of his close brothers whose names this portal has obtained.

These NPP appointees, party insiders say, were allegedly doing the bidding of Mahama family members under the erstwhile NPP administration, hence their retention. 

President Mahama’s decision to keep at least twenty such figures in strategic state institutions has sparked anger and confusion, particularly among long-time NDC loyalists who remain unemployed or sidelined after campaigning fiercely for the party’s return to power.

From the Food and Drugs Authority to the Minerals Commission, the Ghana Airports Company to the National Petroleum Authority, to the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, to the Public Procurement Authority as well as Forestry Commission, known NPP appointees continue to hold office some even rising higher in rank. 

At the Public Procurement Authority and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), NPP individuals, Frank Mantey and Dwemoh Benneh appointed by Akufo-Addo remain at post. 

They continue to wield power sparking fears that Mahama’s administration may be quietly recycling the very regime it was elected to replace at the expense of its unemployed members. The government has replaced nearly all Akufo-Addo CEOs with these few exceptions. 

Top officials of the NDC who spoke to this portal say this is not just a case of political maturity, but a betrayal of the party’s base for the selfish interest of “one family”. 

At the Ghana Airport Company, Yvonne Opare continues to work as CEO deputized by an NDC member who should have rather been CEO, Obuobia Darko.

At the Forestry Commission, a former Deputy CEO under Akufo-Addo Hugh Brown, was promoted to CEO.

At the National Petroleum Authority, a deputy CEO from the Akufo-Addo era is not only still in place but has been handed directorship of a sensitive department when she was expected to have resigned like her fellow appointees. Linda Osei was appointed Deputy CEO along with Perry Okudzeto, she remains at the authority despite her replacement. 

At the Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission,  Akufo-Addo appointee Martin Ayisi continue to head. Mr. Ayisi was a one-time NPP Chairmanship aspirant. 

Sources told this portal situation is very bad but few people in the party can openly complain for fear of victimization. 

“It feels like we fought to bring NPP technocrats back to power,” said one NDC regional organizer who asked to remain anonymous. “What signal are we sending to our youth who bled for this victory?” He asked. 

At the FDA, the former NPP appointee remained at post until a week ago. 

One senior NDC communicator lamented, “This is not about witch-hunting. How come other appointees were replaced but these guys were not. How can our old man keep NPP appointees while our own people are sitting idle with CVs in hand?” He lamented. 

Earlier in the year, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah distanced himself from allegations that he had a say in the continuation of some of the NPP appointees.