Nepotism debate is an invitation to 'propaganda masturbation' – Kweku Baako

Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako says a list provided by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) alleging that President Akufo-Addo is running a family and friends government is for propaganda purposes.

Kweku Baako described the list of 51 persons as means by the NDC to just push a propagandist agenda.

“Assuming without admitting they are all truly friends and family of the president what is the percentage?” he quizzed while contributing to a discussion on the matter on JoyNews Newsfile.

Mr Baako noted that if the president appoints thousands of personnel to various positions in the country and 51 “that are his family and friends what is the percentage?” of the total number of appointments.

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He probed further on how many of Akufo-Addo’s friends and family are in key positions like cabinet, ministers, deputy ministers, regional ministers and others.

“You see straight away that this is an invitation into the realm of absurdity…but for propaganda purposes yeah these sound bites are good. This is an invitation to indulge in propaganda masturbation,” he described NDC’s list and press conference.

The NDC on Tuesday presented names of persons it says are relatives and cronies within the Akufo-Addo government.

At a press conference, the National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi listed 51 names of relatives and cronies which he said pointed to “classic and unprecedented” nepotism within the Akufo-Addo government.

The list includes the entire nuclear family of Nana Asante Bediatuo who is a cousin to the President and is also his Executive Secretary.

Sammy Gyamfi referred to Nana Akufo-Addo’s vow to eschew nepotism and cronyism, a pledge which he made in January 2016 ahead of the general elections.

“I will not operate a family and friends’ government”, he quoted the then NPP Presidential candidate.

The NDC listed relatives of the President, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and relatives of the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo.

NPP reacts

NPP in reaction challenged the list provided by the NDC as relatives and cronies in the Akufo-Addo government.

National Youth Organiser Nana Boakye insisted the appointments of family and relatives into government were made on the basis of competence.

“We are not sure about appointing enemies,” he said at a press conference to respond to the NDC which has released a list of 51 names of persons it claims are relatives and cronies in the Akufo-Addo government.

Calling the numbers “a classic and unprecedented” case of nepotism, the opposition party said the President, Nana Akufo-Addo has broken his promise not to run a family and friends government.

The NDC, therefore, called for the passage of an anti-nepotism bill. In reply, the NPP has pointed fingers at the NDC for starting nepotism.