John Mahama: Former President Condemns NDC MPs For Approving Akufo-Addo's New Ministers

• Former President John Mahama has expressed disappointment in the approval of the new ministerial appointments by President Nana Akufo-Addo
• Parliament approved Akufo-Addo's latest ministerial nominees, including KT Hammond, without much hindrance despite NDC MPs' vow not to approve them
• In a statement, the former president described the vote of approval by some NDC MPs as a betrayal to the party and Ghanaians

Former President John Dramani Mahama has reacted to the approval of the latest batch of President Nana Akufo-Addo's ministerial nominees by Parliament.

In a statement released on his official Facebook page on Saturday, March 25, 2023, Mahama expressed disappointment in the approval.

According to him, the NDC's MPs who voted for the approval of the new ministers had done so out of parochial interests to the detriment of the party and its grassroots.

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Akufo-Addo appoints new ministers

Following the resignation of some of his ministers, including Alan Kyeremateng and Dr Osei Afriyie Akoto, President Akufo-Addo nominated new ministers.

Among them were K.T. Hammond for Trade and Industry, Stephen Asamoah Boateng for Chieftaincy and Culture, and Bryan Acheampong for Food and Agriculture.

NDC MPs renege on promise not to approve Akufo-Addo's new ministers

Coming at a time when Ghana was heading to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout, MPs from the minority took a stance of not approving the appointees.

For the Minority MPs and the NDC in general, it was time Akufo-Addo reduced the size of his government to reduce the cost of running it.

After failing to find a consensus at the Appointments Committee, the list of nominees was sent to the plenary for a general vote.

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In an unexpected twist, each of the appointees passed the vote comfortably and received more votes than the total number of Majority MPs.

Mahama slams NDC MPs for betraying Ghanaians

Reacting to the development, a disappointed John Mahama described the vote by some NDC MPs as a betrayal to the party and Ghanaians. He advised those concerned to do a soul search.

"...Unfortunately, Ghanaians were sorely disappointed yesterday when several members of the Minority for some parochial and personal interest voted against the principled position adopted by the party.

"I am also disappointed.

"Those responsible for this betrayal must do some serious soul-searching and learn to place national interest over personal interest."

Mahama further blasted President Akufo-Addo saying:

"Equally disappointing is the President's refusal to seize the opportunity to realign and downsize his bloated government when the NPP flagbearer hopefuls and the Chieftaincy minister resigned.

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"Clearly, in this time of crisis and excruciating hardships, President Akufo-Addo, his NPP administration and some of our MPs are out of tune with the mood of the Ghanaian people."

Mahama files nomination for NDC flagbearer

Earlier, John Mahama had officially filed to contest the flagbearer race of the NDC slated for May 13, 2023.

His nomination forms were filed by Prof Joshua Alabi on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, accompanied by some party bigwigs.

Prof Alabi predicted Mahama would attain 99% of votes during the presidential primaries to send a strong message to their opponents, the NPP.

Source: YEN.com.gh