PPP Statement On President Mahama Misplaced

It has come to our attention that the Youth Wing of the Progressive People�s Party (PPP) has issued a statement signed by one Divine Nkrumah in which they attack the President Mahama led government. It is most disconcerting that in the statement, the youth Wing urges the President to look at the PPP for options with respect to Youth appointments. A cursory read of the statement would be a great put off for anyone with a sense of decency and the Youth Wing of the PPP has done a great disservice to the fortunes of young Ghanaian politicians. The basis for this attack appears to be the indiscretion on the part of the immediate past Deputy Communications Minister. The assumption that the President must be held responsible for the indiscretion of an appointee of His flies in the face of logic. This bizarre logic as espoused by Mr. Divine Nkrumah and his group is akin to demanding mind reading abilities from the President. How can anyone suggest that the President should censor the private discussions of any citizen of this country? Is this an inkling into the mindset of the PPP and its Youth Wing? Is this the philosophy of Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduon? Everyone has the right to demand discretion on the part of public servants. An indisputable right we dare say. However, it is the individual duty of all public servants to exercise that responsibility. To demand of the President that He pre-empts the speech or conduct of any public servant is unfortunately absurd. The demand that can be placed on the President is for Him to ensure that all appointees of His adhere to these standards. In this particular case, The President has by His actions lived up to the expectations of standards in public service. His singular action to relieve the Deputy Minister of Her post is adequate proof of the standards to which the President holds His appointees. Another point that the Youth Wing of the PPP appears oblivious to is the fact that the appointment process is not solely at the whims and caprices of the president. The President nominates but the Parliament of Ghana must vet and approve of the nominee. The Parliament of Ghana receives open complaints and objections to nominees and puts same in the public domain. Where were David Nkrumah and His group when the vetting process was undertaken? As a Nation we must move beyond a culture of opportunistic politicking to one of constructive dialogue steeped in principle. The suggestion by the Youth Wing of the PPP that the indiscretion of one young appointee is enough to pass judgement on the unprecedented opportunities given to a number of young men and women to serve their country is utterly ridiculous. There is a plethora of young appointees who have distinguished themselves in public office and to reach such a conclusion raises serious questions about the judgement of the PPP youth wing. The statement refers to the campaign message of the PPP in the 2012 elections. The results of those elections clearly show that the good people of this country did not consider the message truthful or sincere enough. This comes against the backdrop of the loud silence from the Youth Wing of the PPP and the larger party with respect to alleged issues of corruption against Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom while He was working at the State Enterprises Commission. The claim by Mr. David Nkrumah and His group that the President needs to look beyond the NDC in His appointments reveals a shocking lack of knowledge of the President�s appointments. President Mahama is on record to have appointed individuals with impeccable credentials from not only the NDC but in Academia, Civil Society and Minority political parties. How can we then take the Youth Wing serious if they are oblivious to these basic facts? We urge the President to remain steadfast in His commitments to the Ghanaian people in fighting the canker of corruption and delivering on His promise of a Better Ghana. Decisive action as is evidenced by the dismissal of the erring Deputy Minister reassures the larger populace of His administration�s resolve not to countenance corruption in any shape or form. The President has an arduous task and His eyes must remain fixed on the prize. He should disregard the discordant tune from the PPP and its Youth Wing and not use the irreverent tone of their statement as a benchmark for the Ghanaian Youth. God Bless our Homeland Ghana Signed: Kamil Alhassan TEIN President-University of Ghana, Legon