I don’t need your chairmanship position – KT Hammond to Akufo-Addo

Having been ‘sidelined’ under the government he invested his time and efforts in assisting to win the 2016 polls, he would rather remain without a slot than opt for one which for him, is ‘demeaning’ to his status.

This is the stance of the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahiru Hammond. Mr. Hammond according to reports refused a board chairmanship offer for the Ghana Gas company presented to him by the President through the Chief-of-Staff.

The offer was rejected by K.T who believes the position was “too belittling” for his personality seeing the various roles he played under the erstwhile Kufour administration including serving as the deputy Energy Minister, a position bigger than the current chairmanship position being offered him.

K.T Hammond who supposed he could secure the Energy Minister portfolio under the Akufo-Addo-led government had his hopes dashed when the position was handed over to Boakye Agyarko who is currently serving in that capacity. Sources at the Presidency according to Starrfmonline.com indicate that the rejection was as a result of Mr. Hammond’s belief that he deserves better and accepting the position will only mean that he will be answerable to “even a Deputy Minister”.

The lawmaker who participated in various activities during the electioneering period as part of efforts to secure his party a win in the elections was shockingly not included in the President’s ministerial list contrary to what many expected. Mr. Hammond among other things, was very vocal during the party’s campaigns prior to the polls.

He was also instrumental in its victory in the polls and served impressively under the John Kufour government.

President Akufo-Addo apparently had assured constituents on three different occasions during the election period that he would hand K.T, a ministerial position, this was however not the case as the latter was not given a slot in the President’s ministerial appointments.

He has since rejected a number of offers and invites from party members. He is said to have failed to honour an invitation to be present at the commissioning of the off-shore Cape Three Points. He also reportedly rejected an offer from his colleagues in Parliament to become the Mines and Energy Committee Chairman.