The People’s National Convention (PNC), says it will soon hold a meeting to determine the fate of the party’s former flagbearer, Dr. Edward Mahama, for accepting a position in the NPP government.
The meeting is to give him an opportunity to explain why he accepted the ambassadorial appointment since he has been a critic of similar appointments in the past.
Dr. Edward Mahama, who has been five times flagbearer of the PNC, was namedAmbassador-at-Large by President Akufo-Addo this week.
Speaking to Citi News, National Chairman of the PNC, Bernard Mornah said Dr. Mahama’s decision to be an ambassador at large will limit his objectivity on national issues, particularly when he had condemned same in the past, and also failed to inform the party.
“ I have instructed the General Secretary to call a meeting and hopefully maybe Monday, after consulting with the regional executives, we will have a meeting so we provide the opportunity for Dr. Edward Mahama to speak his mind on why there is this appointment offer and acceptance.”
“We are worried that as accepting to serve at large will mean that there will be some decisions that will conflict with the party’s stance on national issues so if there are decisions that are inimical to the nation but for the fact that the leader of our party is in government, can we ask our leader to speak about those inimical positions publicly? If it will be difficult, then I think it will be proper for him to advise us on which of them is superior.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Edward Mahama has defended his acceptance of the position. He told Citi News he is going to serve Ghana and not any political party.
But on the other hand, the National Treasurer of PNC, Akane Adams, has also jumped to the defence of Dr. Mahama insisting that he does not require the approval of the party before he accepts the position.
“The appointing authority is solely the right of the president as enshrined in our able constitution, therefore, who appoints and who is appointed is the requisite, and the preserve of the president under any working democracy. This is not different from the appointment of Dr. Edward Mahama as Ambassador at large by his Excellency the President,” Akane said in a press statement.
He insisted that this was not the first time a member of the PNC had been given an appointment by a sitting government.
“In the past, former President Kufuor appointed known PNC men such as Moses Daniba and Mallam Issah for the health and sports ministry respectively. Fast forward, President Mills appointed Hon Alhassan Azong as minister for the public sector reforms and a few others from the party into board membership positions. All these appointees in the past did not require any approval from the party to accept their positions because the clear understanding has always been a move to ensure all-inclusiveness which the PNC sees nothing wrong with. The appointment of PNC men such as Dr. Sulley Gariba and Dr. Raymond Atuguba by President Mahama did not also require any approval from the party as it was simply a matter of choice by the appointee to accept and help build our dear country irrespective of the appointing authority. We hereby dispel any submissions within or without that seeks to downplay the essence of this noble appointment made by his excellency the President,” Akane added.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
