Kweku Rickett-Hagan Sworn-In As Dep. Min. Of Finance

By Nana Akua Tweneboah-Koduah

The Daily Guide newspaper is back to its old mischievous acts. The paper which blows hot air on issues which they know nothing about published that President John Mahama has dumped Mr Kweku Richett-Hagan, Member of Parliament for Cape Coast Central, who was nominated for the position of Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

But Mr Rickett-Hagan was sworn into office on Thursday May 16 by President John Mahama, thus putting to shame that shameful story by Daily Guide.

Mr Richett-Hagan went through parliamentary vetting but was unable to be sworn-in barely two weeks ago when he felt sick at the last minute. Due to pressure of work and other pressing needs, the President was not able to swear him into office within that time frame.

This situation therefore gave room to Daily Guide which published on its front page on Wednesday May 15, that President Mahama has had second thoughts about the nomination of Mr Rickett-Hagan following an intervention by Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, a prominent member of the NDC.

But this speculative journalism by Daily Guide did not wash as the issue had been put to bed following the swearing-in of Mr Rickett-Hagan.

The swearing into office of Mr Richett-Hagan has surely shamed the Daily Guide which also published falsehood that the family of the deputy minister, as well as chiefs and the other well-wishers from his area were fuming and have threatened to demonstrate on his behalf.

I am of the view that the Daily Guide will enhance its credibility and shelve its notoriety in falsehood if they take the pains to check on the authenticity of stories before publishing them.

Such falsehood has nothing to portray except to create unnecessary tensions and confusion in the country. I, therefore, wish that since Mr Rickett-Hagan has been sworn into office, the Daily Guide will render an unqualified apology to President Mahama.

nakuakoduah@yahoo.com