Dr. Tony Aidoo, former Senior Presidential Aide and Head of Policy and Evaluation under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, has criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for what he describes as political propaganda surrounding the suspension of the Chief Justice.
Speaking on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra, Dr. Aidoo accused the NPP of using the issue to discredit President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, barely four months into his second term.
According to Dr. Aidoo, the NPP has a long-standing culture of undermining President Mahama, dating back to his first term in office from 2012 to 2016. He stated that the party’s current political maneuvers are nothing new and are aimed at setting a negative tone for Mahama’s second term.
He further alleged that the NPP’s defense of the Chief Justice is a calculated political move, designed to maintain her in office as a means to cover up the party’s own record of corruption and mismanagement during its eight years in power.
Dr. Aidoo emphasized that President Mahama has not violated any laws in suspending the Chief Justice, and described it as unfortunate that the Chief Justice appears to be playing to the public gallery by leaking parts of the petition to gain public sympathy. He believes this turns a legal matter into a political drama.
Commenting on the newly launched Code of Conduct by President Mahama, Dr. Aidoo described it as a step in the right direction. He said it is essential for holding ministers accountable and fostering good governance. He added that the Code will contribute to a healthier political environment and strengthen the fight against corruption and misappropriation of public funds.
Dr. Aidoo also noted that culturally, Ghanaians often struggle with law enforcement, and emphasized the importance of adhering to the social contract. He praised the president for taking the lead in demonstrating accountability for the sake of future generations.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence that President Mahama has learned from past mistakes and will not tolerate political misconduct during his second term. He commended the president’s efforts in maintaining discipline among his ministers.
Evaluating Mahama’s first 120 days in office, Dr. Aidoo stated that the president has performed well overall. However, he criticized the government’s approach to fighting illegal mining (galamsey), stating that it has fallen short. He recommended that the president deploy a platoon from the Ghana Armed Forces to combat illegal mining activities, which continue to devastate forests and river bodies.
Story by Alexander Kukah
kukahalexander7@gmail.com
