Tony Aidoo charges at Gov’t: Show a bit of “common courtesy”

Outspoken National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwart, Dr. Tony Aidoo, is still demanding answers from government regarding the status of his office; ‘Head of Policy, Evaluation and Oversight Unit at the Presidency’.

Last month, Dr. Tony Aidoo was reported to be on a collision course with President John Dramani Mahama over cash.

The outspoken big shot of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) virtually accused the Mahama administration of starving him of the needed funds to run his office, crying out that his outfit has been rendered almost redundant and dormant since the death of President John Atta Mills.

A frustrated Tony Aidoo told the media that problems such as non-payment of salaries of his staff for the last six months were not issues that he would normally put out for public consumption. He, however, said his outfit had been abandoned by the NDC administration for no apparent reason.

He further disclosed that President Mahama had been made aware of these predicaments about nine months ago and had promised to resource the office.

The NDC guru expressed his readiness to throw in the towel and walk away at any time, if his services were no longer needed.

And it appears weeks after that shocking public disclosure, the NDC firebrand is still being ignored.

He revealed on Saturday that he has written numerous letters to the Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper Bani, asking that a bold decision be made on his somewhat 'defunct' position in government.

Speaking on "Alhaji and Alhaji" on Radio Gold, Dr. Tony Aidoo disclosed that his letters to the Chief of Staff on regulating the appointments of his staff and clear definitions on the functions of his office have been disregarded.

He, however, revealed that it appears his office, in practical sense, is defunct, but administratively, he always receives correspondence from the Presidency which bears the letterhead of his position.

He therefore wants the Chief of Staff to respond to his letters, saying "common courtesy" should direct him.

“…I have written three letters to Mr. Bani, but he has not responded to any. And the letters are simple; a query about the status of the office and the staff. That I have some critical staff who should have their appointments regulated because they are more critical. They have not been paid. Their appointments have not been regularized because they were trained National Service personnel.”

“In as much as the Chief of Staff may think he does not have an obligation. Common courtesy directs that when you’re written to, you respond ‘your letter has been received.’ No such response has come after three letters,” he said.

He therefore addressed the Chief of Staff in a strong-worded message, stating that “all you have to do is take a pen. Take a pen and write; the office is defunct and I can walk (out if you want me to). Yesterday, there was a list of ‘offices of the government machinery’ and my office was there. And constantly, I am getting letters from the Flagstaff House ‘Head of Policy, Evaluation and Oversight unit’. I attend meetings in that position and yet, when it comes to the practical sense; the office is not existent. Why can’t you take a decision?”