John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing close family members and friends to government positions, often at the expense of other qualified candidates.
Speaking at his Governance Forum on October 31, Mahama questioned the claim that family members of the President are the most qualified for these roles.
He stressed the importance of regional balance in appointments, urging the President to adhere to the Constitution’s call for fair and balanced selections.
Mahama added that this favoritism has sidelined many competent individuals who lack close connections to the President.
His remarks come amid widespread dissatisfaction with the Akufo-Addo administration’s economic management, which has faced issues of 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.”
