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Intelligence sources at the seat of government, National Security and at the corridors of the ruling National Democratic Congress have confirmed to The aL-hAJJ that, scandal-prone presidential staffer, Stan Xose Dogbe is now the second most powerful person in the John Dramani Mahama government.

Without any known designated portfolio, the journalist-turned-politician, Stan, as he is affectionately called, is reported wielding more powers even than the vice president, the Chief of Staff, National Security Adviser and the National Security Coordinator as well as Directors of BNI, Defence intelligence and Research Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

How Stan Dogbe rose to this enviable position remains a mystery, however, according to The aL-hAJJ sources, this is causing serious consternation and murmuring within the offices of the above mentioned senior government officials.

Ironically, none of these senior government officials are mustering the courage to bring the bizarre state of affairs to the attention of President Mahama, that is, if the president is unaware, a highly placed source has hinted The aL-hAJJ

But, this paper has gathered that, senior party officials, including Capt Retired Kojo Tsikata and former PNDC/NDC security chiefs, in the coming days plan meeting the president to draw his attention to the dangers Stan Dogbe’s actions and/or inaction can pose to his government.

However, intelligence gathered by The aL-hAJJ also indicates that the controversial “presidential staffer” (who not long ago was reported given some dirty slaps by an NDC lady operative) cannot entirely be blamed for the unfortunate spectacle, even though he is reported to have taken advantage of his close association with the first family to ensconce himself at his self-created post.

Several factors, according to this paper’s inquiries, could also have contributed to “where we are today.” The vice president, Amissah-Arthur for example, “just as every obedient and loyal vice would act, has kept a distance from his boss unless otherwise invited or, instructed; so as not to be seen to be competing with the man who graciously put him there,” another deep throat source at the seat of government noted.

Petty squabbling, needless rivalry and turf war amongst the security chiefs hasn’t helped matters, thus also leading to lack of harmonization and coordination of efforts, the source revealed.

This sad state of affairs, according to a security expert familiar with the goings-on but, who pleaded anonymity, has further emboldened Stan Dogbe to supplant not only the Security Chiefs but also, the vice president and the Chief of Staff.

Indeed, The aL-hAJJ’s checks have confirmed that, the hitherto ‘mere’ presidential staffer, presently has controlling influence and is the eyes and ears of the president compared to the vice president, the Chief of Staff, all the Security Chiefs and also the Chief of State Protocol. “He has indeed, supplanted all these officials I have mentioned and has virtually taken over their duties such that… I can tell you, after the President, he is the next most power person in the administration”, a deep throat source at the Flagstaff House told The aL-hAJJ.

In the case of the Chief of Staff, the security expert (name withheld), who is also familiar with the happenings at the seat of government, told this paper, “You know he (Chief of Staff) was only recently elevated to that high office by the president and won't like to disappoint him by attempting to change the status quo overnight,... The unfortunate situation at the ‘big house’ has been there since the time of former Chief of Staff, Douglas Bani. Indeed, it was Bani who created the monster out of Stan, and he (Stan) was later to be instrumental in seeing Bani off, and I’m sure he, Debrah (Chief of Staff) is aware of this hence, his lay back approach.”

The scandal-prone-presidential staffer’s conduct at the seat of government has consistently been condemned by many Ghanaians and civil society organizations.

The Media Foundation for West Africa, for instance, has condemned the Mahama administration’s failure to take action against Stan Dogbe, who admitted seizing and destroying a tape recorder belonging to a journalist of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

Journalism Professor, Audrey Gadzekpo, has also charged President Mahama to fire Stan Dogbe for his unprofessional conduct.

Meanwhile, sources at the “big House” have hinted The aL-hAJJ that President Mahama will reassign Stan Dogbe in an impending reshuffle slated for November this year which will be the president’s final reshuffle for his first term in office.

Assigning other reasons for the sad state of affairs at the seat of government, the security expert also pointed to the constitutional arrangement for the mistrust and infighting among “these current crop of security chiefs” but, was quick to add that, except under the overbearing former Jerry John Rawlings, the administrations of ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and the late President John Atta Mills', also witnessed similar conflicts amongst their security chiefs

"Look, it happened between Gen. Joshua Hamidu and Francis Poku in the early days of the Kufuor government which subsequently led to the former’s exit. Again, Francis Poku and Dr Amo were always at loggerheads over turf which also resulted in the sacking of Francis Poku if you recall,” the expert explained.

Adding, “even under the late Mills government, former National Security Coordinator, Gbevlo Lartey and his current successor, Yaw Donkor, who was then BNI Director and Gen Nunoo Mensah, the then Presidential Security Advisor, had similar problems.”

According to the security expert, while the constitution recognizes the National Security Coordinator’s office, on the “ground”, the Security Advisors and Directors of BNI, Defence Intelligence and Research Department have close and direct access dealing with the president, hence the unending feud.

The expert revealed that, as presently constituted, relationship between Director of Research Department of Foreign Affairs, the Director General of Defence intelligence; the National Security Coordinator, his deputy and chief of Administration and the BNI Director is not the best for any country.
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