CDD ‘badly’ disappointed in 110 ministers, dismissals and vigilantism

The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has assessed the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his first 100 days, though it admits “100 days into a new administration may be too short a time to fully assess a government”.

Monday, April 17 will mark exactly 100 days since Mr Akufo-Addo was inaugurated as President of the Republic of Ghana, taking over from the John Dramani Mahama-led administration.

“We commend the teams of both the John Dramani Mahama-National Democratic Congress (NDC) and that of the Akufo-Addo-NPP government for working out a relatively smooth and peaceful transfer of power.

“They exhibited high levels of cooperation and accommodation, notwithstanding the occasional disagreement and miscommunication.” In the positives over the past 100 days, CDD-Ghana commended the incumbent government for the “speed” with which ministers and their deputies were assembled.

“We also applaud the efforts the president made to explain the rationale behind the nomination of specific individuals for the respective ministerial positions. “This practice suggests the willingness of the President to subject his own logic and reasoning to broad scrutiny – a healthy development for Ghana’s nascent democracy, if sustained.”

All these were captured in a statement released on Wednesday, April 12. It commended President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to fight corruption particularly by the availability of about GH¢1.2 million for use by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

“Finally, we commend the president for the declaration to put an indefinite freeze on the purchase of new vehicles and completely terminate the standing policy that allowed government appointees to purchase their official vehicles,” it said, calling for a legislation on the disposal of public assets.

On the downsides, CDD-Ghana said “the many instances of NPP-affiliated vigilante groups’ forceful takeover of state assets and public facilities (including toilets, toll booths, school feeding programs, etc.) and the unlawful seizure of vehicles of members of the previous administration put a dent on the hitherto smooth transition process”.

It lent support to calls for the disbandment of the various groups, suggesting that a more credible way to do this should be a “proactive de-politicization of state/government control of the police and other national security agencies, including the appointment and transfers of their leadership”.

“It also requires a firm stance to end the accompanying partisanship in the deployment of security agencies – which breeds impunity among incumbent government supporters and fosters mistrust among opposition party supporters.” It expressed disappointment in President Akufo-Addo’s appointment of a total of 110 ministers.

“It flies in the face of the president’s own declared commitment to protect the public purse as well as its longstanding good governance advocates’ campaign for meaningful reduction in the size of government and resultant government spending.”

CDD-Ghana’s statement also condemned the removal of heads of public institutions and parastatals. “Such actions are inconsistent with good corporate governance practices, it fosters politicization of the public service as well as political exclusion, and undermines the fight against winner takes all politics.”

It asked the president to use the 100 days in office as stock-taking moment to “build on the positive steps and achievements and also correct mistakes it has made”.