Dear President Mahama,
The rat as a creative being is nocturnal in nature. If it moves during daytime, it is either a sign of bad omen or an infringement on its natural rights of stay.
The sophists’ idea of any man can occupy any office has profound implications: it means knowledge does not matter and experience does not matter. The position of the regional minister and a MMDCE is no child’s play for presidents to dish out to ordinary party folks simply because they worked hard to see the party in power. As a former assembly member in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, I have come to understand the work of the regional minister and that of MMDCES. Usually, when such positions are being dished out, successive presidents have failed to take into cognizance the duties of such high-status personalities.
I was one person who was all for the election of MMDCES but not on partisan basis. This was because developments of their respective metropolis, municipalities and districts are somewhat ‘their responsibilities.’ Appointing such people must come with all the seriousness it deserves.
As experienced as President Mahama is, I believe you would have learned one cardinal sin we have witnessed as a country but the reverse is the case. In this piece, I wouldn’t want to talk about the other ministers-designates but will focus on the Ashanti Region and your choice. Looking at the commercial viability of the Region, the position of the Ashanti regional minister must be given to someone with international and local connections in order to attract the necessary investors to achieve the desired development even when the central government lacks the wherewithal for such developments.
With the scope of work to be done in the Ashanti Region and considering the limited time you find yourself in office, appointing a layman to the position of the Ashanti Regional Minister is one of your cardinal sins.
As a matter of fact, this sin is a will most incorrect to the heavens; apologies to Williams Shakespeare. Dr. Amoakohene may be sound academically but not sound in the full rigours of political leadership to assume such status without passing through the ranks. Imagine Dr. Amoakohene trying to control a KMA Mayor like Samuel Sarpong, Alexander Ackon or Samuel Yaw Adusei…
For someone whose political leadership of the NDC has been on tiktok, I would be right to call him a tiktok minister-designate. For one who sees political campaigns as a tool for comic relief on tiktok, dashing him such a post could be likened to dashing a candy to a kg person. For the records, and with all due respect to President Mahama, you have set the NDC on a path of ridicule, comic relief and irresponsible governance in the Ashanti Region.
Mr. President, the security issues in Ashanti Region cannot be toyed with and so you need firm and experienced hands. Mr. President, the Kejetia – Central Market issues in hand need solid hands, calmer minds and someone with the testicular fortitude to steer affairs for you in the Region.
Anyone who has dealt with the traders in the Region would readily come to the conclusion that they are one serious people any leader could ever encounter and the coming days will vindicate me. You had a lot of experienced hands to glorify your last term in office, Mr. President , yet, you took the least experienced.
Once again, Mr. President, the sophists’ idea of any man can occupy any office has profound implications.
Ohemeng Ian Moore
(Former Assembly Member for Abrepo-Mpatasie Electoral Area)
