Disagreements in NDC?

 

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for a truce in the media war over recent criticisms of the government by a former Majority Leader, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, speaking on an Accra-based radio station, stated that a committee had been set up to go into the matter.

He said he had spoken to Mr Bagbin and all those who had made comments on the issue and expressed the hope that an amicable solution would be found.

“We call on ministers, communicators, Members of Parliament and supporters to desist from further commenting on the issue. I can only call on all to cease fire,” he said, adding that the party would resort to its internal mechanism for resolving conflict.

Mr Asiedu-Nketiah added that looking at Mr Bagbin’s stature, the issue he had spoken about should not be taken lightly and pledged that “when we hold an internal meeting we will be able to take the chaff out of the truth”.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga, has reacted to the comments made by Mr Bagbin and stated that the President will continue to work with Mr Bagbin, in spite of his criticisms.

“The President listens to his critics; he is tolerant and open-minded. We will sit with him and take the good counsel that he has,” he said.

Criticisms

In his recent comments in the media, Mr Bagbin expressed concern over corruption in the country and said he was yet to see a semblance of political leadership and a commitment to fight the canker.

He particularly expressed frustration at the government’s handling of the findings contained in an investigative report on the operations of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA).

Mr Mahama Ayariga’s reaction

Reacting to Mr Bagbin’s comments on an Accra-based radio, Mr Ayariga said he had approached Mr Bagbin and “we are talking over to solve the issue”.

“We are discussing the issue,” he said, and called on those NDC supporters and officials who were insulting Mr Bagbin to stop.

He said the President and Mr Bagbin were two experienced personalities in the NDC whose political experience must be tapped.

On Mr Bagbin’s perception of corruption, Mr Ayariga said even though he had respect for Mr Bagbin, he disagreed with him.

He explained that for over eight months the whole country was focused on the 2012 presidential election dispute at the Supreme Court, noting that once the case was over, the President had settled down and started dealing with issues of alleged corruption.

He explained that the setting up of the Judgement Debt Commission was a clear indication of the government’s resolve to dealt with corrupt practices in the country.

Touching on the GYEEDA saga, the minister said the extent to which the system was abused was known to all and gave an assurance that all those whose names had been mentioned for indulging in one corrupt practice or another would be dealt with by the appropriate bodies.

Mr Ayariga added that the launch of the code of conduct for public office holders was an indication of the government’s commitment to fight corruption.
He announced that the government would soon present to Parliament the Public Office Accountability Bill.