Kufuor's Minsters At War Over Turf

The Kufuor administration is likely to bleed to death from self-inflicted wounds if the intense war over turf among ministers is not checked, a Weekly Insight, a private newspaper reports indicate.

According to the paper, information available to it indicates “one fierce battle is raging in the financial sector where Honourable Osafo-Maafo has locked horns with Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Integration.”

An attempt by the President to settle the dispute during his visit to Paris appears to have failed as the combatants continue to fire unguarded missiles, the paper alleges.

“Sources close to the presidency told the Weekly Insight that the President has warned both ministers of the dire consequences of the struggles over turf. Before the Paris meeting, the President asked Dr. Nduom to work hard at improving his working relationship with Mr. Osafo-Maafo.”

The troubles apparently began when Dr. Nduom allegedly asked an official of the Ministry of Finance for some vital information without reference to the Minister.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo according to the paper is also alleged to have instructed members of his staff not to release any information directly to Dr. Nduom who is likely to take over the portfolio of finance in a Cabinet reshuffle expected early this year has not helped matters.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo also MP for Akim Oda is said to have the full confidence of important sections of the leadership of the NPP whiles Dr. Nduom is said to have particularly close to the President.

According to the newspaper, “the first sign of trouble popped up when discussions at a Cabinet meeting on the need for harmony in the financial sector was leaked to the press with slant.

Newspaper reports earlier said Senior Minister, John Henry Mensah, who was then Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission was over bearing and that Dr. Nduom was unhappy with the situation.

The first cabinet reshuffle announced by the President appears to have confirmed the leak especially as Mr. Mensah was removed from his schedule.

“Two weeks ago, the crisis burst into the open when The Independent reported the NPP hawks were tormenting persons who are known to be close to the President.”

The list of tormented friends of the President published by “The Independent” included Mr. Nick Amartefio, a businessman, Mr. Sam Jonah, Chief Executive of Ashanti Goldfields Corporation (AGC) and Dr. Nduom.

The paper’s publication fueled rumours and speculations linking a possible cabinet reshuffle with the campaign to off load the government’s Golden Share in Ashanti.

“The apparently baseless accusation is that Mr. Osafo-Maafo is opposed to the sale of the government’s golden shares in AGC and that his removal as minister for finance may ease the way for Ghana to sell the priced shares.

There have been other reports of a fight between the Minister of education, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi and the Minister in charge of Basic, Secondary and Girl Child Education, Ms. Christine Churcher.

“In this conflict too, Professor Ameyaw-Ekumfi has been portrayed as an outsider whiles Ms. Churcher has been described as a loyal member of the NPP with links to the Attorney-General, Nana Akufo-Addo,” the Insight said.

The Kufuor administration is likely to bleed to death from self-inflicted wounds if the intense war over turf among ministers is not checked, a Weekly Insight, a private newspaper reports indicate.

According to the paper, information available to it indicates “one fierce battle is raging in the financial sector where Honourable Osafo-Maafo has locked horns with Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Integration.”

An attempt by the President to settle the dispute during his visit to Paris appears to have failed as the combatants continue to fire unguarded missiles, the paper alleges.

“Sources close to the presidency told the Weekly Insight that the President has warned both ministers of the dire consequences of the struggles over turf. Before the Paris meeting, the President asked Dr. Nduom to work hard at improving his working relationship with Mr. Osafo-Maafo.”

The troubles apparently began when Dr. Nduom allegedly asked an official of the Ministry of Finance for some vital information without reference to the Minister.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo according to the paper is also alleged to have instructed members of his staff not to release any information directly to Dr. Nduom who is likely to take over the portfolio of finance in a Cabinet reshuffle expected early this year has not helped matters.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo also MP for Akim Oda is said to have the full confidence of important sections of the leadership of the NPP whiles Dr. Nduom is said to have particularly close to the President.

According to the newspaper, “the first sign of trouble popped up when discussions at a Cabinet meeting on the need for harmony in the financial sector was leaked to the press with slant.

Newspaper reports earlier said Senior Minister, John Henry Mensah, who was then Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission was over bearing and that Dr. Nduom was unhappy with the situation.

The first cabinet reshuffle announced by the President appears to have confirmed the leak especially as Mr. Mensah was removed from his schedule.

“Two weeks ago, the crisis burst into the open when The Independent reported the NPP hawks were tormenting persons who are known to be close to the President.”

The list of tormented friends of the President published by “The Independent” included Mr. Nick Amartefio, a businessman, Mr. Sam Jonah, Chief Executive of Ashanti Goldfields Corporation (AGC) and Dr. Nduom.

The paper’s publication fueled rumours and speculations linking a possible cabinet reshuffle with the campaign to off load the government’s Golden Share in Ashanti.

“The apparently baseless accusation is that Mr. Osafo-Maafo is opposed to the sale of the government’s golden shares in AGC and that his removal as minister for finance may ease the way for Ghana to sell the priced shares.

There have been other reports of a fight between the Minister of education, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi and the Minister in charge of Basic, Secondary and Girl Child Education, Ms. Christine Churcher.

“In this conflict too, Professor Ameyaw-Ekumfi has been portrayed as an outsider whiles Ms. Churcher has been described as a loyal member of the NPP with links to the Attorney-General, Nana Akufo-Addo,” the Insight said.