'Useless statement' – Anyidoho slams 'cash-for-awards' caution by presidency

A former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has criticised a recent communication from the Presidency following allegations that some government appointees paid money to receive awards, describing the statement as “useless” and evidence of weak leadership within government.

Speaking on Okay FM on June 9, 2026, Anyidoho expressed disappointment with the handling of the controversy, which has sparked public debate over the integrity of awards conferred on some government officials.

According to him, the optics surrounding the government over the past two months have not been favourable, arguing that some appointees appear overly eager to claim credit for government achievements.

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“In the past two months, the optics in the government is not a nice thing. They are over-excited right from the Presidency down to appointees and they are celebrating for Ghanaians to see that we are happy to be in government,” he said.

He maintained that government achievements should primarily be attributed to the President rather than individual appointees.

“Anybody wants to get the credit, but the credit must go to the President. Why are the appointees in a hurry to take credit? At all times, it must be the President. If the government fails, it is the President, and if it goes right, it must be the President,” he stated.

Anyidoho referenced a section of the Presidency's circular that reminded appointees of their duty to serve with humility, arguing that the caution itself raised concerns about conduct within government.

He also commended political analyst and governance expert Kpessa-Whyte for publicly alleging that some appointees paid money in exchange for awards.

“I thank Kpessa-Whyte for boldly coming out to state that appointees paid money for awards,” he said.

The former NDC executive questioned the basis upon which some award recipients were selected, citing challenges facing the capital city.

“As we speak, open defecation in Accra is widespread and yet she (the Greater Accra Regional Minister) is awarded. Now, the appointees who were awarded, what work have they done?” he asked.

While acknowledging that the appointees may be carrying out their duties, he questioned whether their performance justified receiving awards, particularly amid allegations that payments were made.

“They may be working all right, but does it warrant payment for an award?” he queried.

Anyidoho further noted that none of the appointees implicated in the controversy had publicly denied the allegations.

“Since the news about payment for the awards came out, who has come to deny it?” he asked.

He claimed that organisers of the awards scheme had threatened to expose any appointee who denied making payments for the honours.

According to him, the Presidency's response amounted to little more than a warning, rather than decisive disciplinary action.

“The circular that came out to admonish the appointees shows that there's no leadership in the NDC. There's no control in the government. The statement is a useless statement,” he said.

Anyidoho argued that if the government believed wrongdoing had occurred, it should sanction those responsible.

“If they believe there was wrongdoing, why won't they sack culpable appointees?” he questioned.

Drawing comparisons with previous administrations, he said former Presidents the late Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would have taken tougher action.

“Under Rawlings, he would crack the whip. Kufuor, Akufo-Addo would all crack the whip. They are the same people who brought the code of conduct and now they're pampering them,” he said.

Anyidoho concluded by expressing concern about the potential political consequences of the controversy for the governing NDC.

“They should go on. Four years is just around the corner. I'm sad for the NDC,” he added.

VPO