Kufuor's All-inclusive family government

Sources close to the top hierarchy of the NPP have, according to the 'Ghana Palaver', have disclosed serious rumblings within the party over President J.A. Kufuor's formation of an "all- inclusive family Government".

"Alarm bells are also ringing in protest against the way Mr Kufuor, as part of his 'Apollo' programme, is 'shooting up' relatives to head other sensitive Government establishments." Already a ministerial list with family connections compiled by the worried NPP leaders reveals the following:

Dr Addo Kufuor, a biological brother, Minister of Defence; Mr Baah Wiredu, nephew, Minister of local Government and Rural Development; Mr Kan Dapaah, nephew, Minister of Mines and Energy and Mr J.H. Mensah, Brother-in-law, Minister of State for Government Business and Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission.

Meanwhile, President Kufuor has Mr. D.K. Osei, another nephew, as his official Private Secretary. The most alarming appointment, which has set tongues waging at the party's secretariat is that of Ms Janet Opoku Acheampong, the President's niece, who has been jumped over three top officials and given the position of Acting Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The paper recalls the hue and cry that ensued when Prof. K.A. Busia formed a company, Yefre Industries, and gave it to his brother to run, during the Second Republic, stating that traditionally, the Danquah-Busia group suffer from negative ethnic tendencies. However, the drive toward nepotism now frightens even men of that tradition.