KWESI PRATT APPEARS TO TAKE AIM AT ERIC OPOKU, URGES MAHAMA TO SACK AMBITIOUS APPOINTEES
Veteran journalist and political commentator Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has called on President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss government appointees who are allegedly concentrating on their presidential ambitions instead of serving the country.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, Mr Pratt expressed concern that some members of the administration appeared more interested in positioning themselves to succeed President Mahama than in fulfilling their current responsibilities.
Although he did not mention the individual by name during the discussion, his comments have been widely interpreted as targeting Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku, whose name has recently featured in conversations about the future leadership of the National Democratic Congress.
Mr Pratt questioned why certain appointees should be considered presidential material when, in his assessment, they had not demonstrated the competence required for their existing positions.
“There are a few people who are making statements that suggest they may be interested. My prescription has been clear and public,” he said.
According to him, President Mahama should remove appointees who have allowed their personal political ambitions to interfere with the government’s work.
“I’ve said that the president should sack those in his administration who have begun misbehaving because what they are doing actually amounts to misbehaviour,” he added.
Mr Pratt argued that such conduct was wasting the country’s time and undermining the opportunity President Mahama had been given to deliver on his promises to Ghanaians.
“They are wasting the nation’s time. They are wasting the president’s opportunity, wasting everything on a reckless and useless ambition,” he stated.
He consequently urged the President to undertake a major reshuffle and remove officials he described as “dead wood” from the administration.
“He should have sacked them long ago. What is he waiting for? Sack them. Please sack them,” Mr Pratt said.
The veteran journalist maintained that government appointees should concentrate on delivering results and improving the lives of Ghanaians instead of engaging in premature campaigns for the NDC’s future presidential nomination.
Mr Pratt’s remarks are expected to intensify discussions about succession within the governing party and the performance of ministers in the Mahama administration.
As of the time of publication, neither Eric Opoku nor the Ministry of Food and Agriculture had publicly responded to the interpretation that the comments were directed at him.
Nsem GH will continue to monitor the matter and provide updates when further clarification becomes available.
