Pratt Quizzes: Does NDC Miss Being In Opposition?

Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has surmised that the conduct, behaviour and utterances of some leading members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) could be liken to a group of people who seem to have nostalgic memories of when they were not in government.� Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM�s 'Kokrokoo' morning show Tuesday, Mr Pratt was bemused by the way the ruling party is running affairs, noting that the NDC is behaving �as if they miss opposition� and appears to be doing everything possible to make that a reality. "...these NDC leaders, they speak as if they miss opposition," he said. He was speaking to the issue of the rising spate of accusations and counter-accusations of the Mahama Administration by some stalwarts of the ruling party. NDC Member of Parliament for Nadowli-Kaleo and former Minority and Majority Leader, Hon Alban Sumana Kinsford Bagbin, courted controversy when he expressed concern over corruption in the country and said he was yet to see a semblance of political leadership and a commitment to fight the canker. He particularly expressed frustration at the government�s handling of the findings contained in an investigative report on the operations of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA). Mr Bagbin also openly stated that not only are ordinary Ghanaians discontent with the slow implementation of government policies and programmes, but some members of the NDC were worried as well. He added that the President has been surrounded by neophytes who are preventing more experienced heads from giving him counsel. However, his public criticisms did not go down well with some government and party officials who accused him of being a "liar" and an "enemy within" and called for his resignation from government. Others also suggested he channel his "zeal" in attacking the current administration to overseeing his job as a member of the "three wise men". Contextualizing the happenings in the NDC, the seasoned journalist warned that the growing internal squabbling within the ruling party, will not inure to the benefit of the key insiders leading the attack, but rather may result in a possible return of the opposition NPP to power. Expressing worry over the government's seeming nonchalant attitude towards addressing the increasing hardships in the country, Kwesi Pratt warned that the rising number of unemployed youth does not bode well for the country, since �all it takes is one warped mind to spark something and lead them astray.�