A number of appointments by President John Dramani Mahama to various positions in his government have raised eyebrows.
These appointees, who are set to head various state institutions and even fill positions at the seat of government, the Jubilee House, consist of individuals who are known members of other political parties or deemed “neutrals” in the eyes of many.
These neutrals are individuals who have never openly stated their political affiliations or have not been seen canvassing for votes for political parties.
A faction of the public has applauded President Mahama for these appointments, seeing them as an attempt to form an inclusive government, with the president relying on competency rather than political affiliation in making his decisions.
Others, however, see the appointments as a reward for those who hide behind the neutral tag to criticize the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Some even suggest that these appointees criticized the Akufo-Addo government because they were positioning themselves for appointments under a John Dramani Mahama administration.
But are these men and women deserving of their appointments, or did they simply criticize the Akufo-Addo government to win Mahama’s favor?
Below are brief profiles of the ‘neutrals’ and ‘non-NDC members’ who received appointments in Mahama’s government:
Dr. Randy Abbey:
Renowned journalist Dr. Randy Abbey was appointed the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) by President Mahama.
Dr. Abbey, who was the host of Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana program, did not shy away from criticizing the Akufo-Addo government.
Although he is not known to be a member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), he is said to have a close association with Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of President Mahama.
Dr. Abbey, according to Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a leading member of the NPP, was a strong member of the NPP and was even considered to be a parliamentary candidate for the party.
The COCOBOD acting CEO holds a PhD in Business Administration (DBA) from SBS Swiss Business School, an MBA in General Management, and certifications in dispute resolution.
His extensive career includes leadership roles such as Managing Director of Ignite Media Group, as well as serving on the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association and as President of Heart of Lions FC.
Nana Yaa Jantuah:
Nana Yaa Jantuah was appointed by President Mahama as a presidential staffer.
She is a former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and was an ardent critic of the Akufo-Addo government.
Despite her party contesting in the 2024 presidential election, Yaa Jantuah declared her support for President Mahama.
She was the Director of Public Affairs at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
With over 25 years of experience in public relations, she began her career as a Public Relations Officer at the Ghana Investment Promotion Council, later moving to the Ghana Free Zones Board before rising to the position of Director of Public Affairs at PURC.
Prof. Kobby Mensah:
Professor Kobby Mensah was appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTDC).
Professor Mensah, a vocal critic of Akufo-Addo, had also been outspoken during the Mahama administration, criticizing that government as well.
An associate professor at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Prof. Mensah is a distinguished expert in tourism marketing.
He holds a PhD in Journalism from the University of Sheffield, UK, and an MSc in International Marketing from Sheffield Hallam University, UK.
He is a Chartered Marketer (CIM, UK), a member of the Political Marketing Specialist Group (PMSG) of the Political Studies Association (PSA), UK, and an Associate Editor of the African Journal of Management Research.
Kobby also serves as Chair of the Sales and Marketing Compliance Committee of Accra Brewery Ltd (ABL).
Prof. Ransford Gyampo:
Professor Ransford Gyampo, another critic of the Akufo-Addo government, was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority by Mahama.
Prof. Gyampo had been an ardent critic of the John Dramani Mahama government as well.
A Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Prof. Gyampo brings a wealth of experience in governance, public administration, and policy research to the leadership of the Ghana Shippers Authority, which regulates Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector.
Prof. Gyampo holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Ghana and Tufts University in Boston, USA.
His research interests focus on Youth Empowerment and Development, Governance, Democracy, and Natural Resource Management.
He is also a visiting scholar at the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of South Florida, USA, and a visiting professor at the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Bristol, UK.
For 14 years, he was a Senior Research Fellow at the Governance Unit of the Institute of Economic Affairs, where he led numerous research projects and played a key role in the IEA’s Socio-Economic and Governance Surveys.
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong:
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong was appointed Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Kwasi Sarpong, a former Senior Managing Partner at KPMG Ghana, is not well known in the political sphere.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration (Accounting) from the University of Ghana Business School, an MSc in Financial Risk Management from London Metropolitan University, as well as executive programs at London Business School and Harvard University.
He is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Practitioner, holding fellowships with the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), and memberships with the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana (CITG), and the Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors (GARIA).
Sarpong’s impressive career includes a distinguished tenure at KPMG Ghana, where he rose to the position of Country Managing Partner and played a key role in KPMG Africa’s leadership.
Maame Ama Pratt:
Maame Ama Pratt was appointed Press Secretary to Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Maame Ama Pratt, a daughter of veteran journalist and social activist Kwasi Pratt Jnr, is not a known member of the NDC.
Ama Pratt is the wife of Kwame Owusu Danso, who was the running mate to Alan Kyerematen, an independent candidate in the December 2024 presidential election.
Maame Ama Pratt is a television host on Pan African TV and the CEO of M.A.P. Concepts Ghana, the organization behind the Obaasima Summit.
She also serves as the CEO of the Obaasima Foundation and Managing Director of Pan African Television.
She holds a degree in Law, English, and Sociology, and has experience in Public Relations.
Alongside her media career, which includes work as a columnist, feature writer, and editor, she frequently appears on television and radio as a human rights activist and social analyst.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
