Nepotism claim: Qualification of family and friends’ appointees no justification – Atik

General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has rubbished justifications by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that relatives of President Akufo-Addo in his government are qualified.

According to him, even though, there may be nothing wrong with including one or two close allies in one’s government, the NPP in its justifications of the nepotistic claims is not being charitable to Ghanaians.

“ It may not be entirely wrong to include one or two family members in your government  but the NPP is not being fair to Ghanaians for justifying the claims by the NDC that all  the names listed are qualified, are they trying to tell us that those people are  the only qualified Ghanaians and there are no other people equally qualified for those positions……. You see, if this thing should continue, what will  happen is, we are likely to have one family or a small section of the population ruling the whole country” he said.

The NDC on Tuesday, accused the Akufo-Addo government of running an administration full of family, friends and close associates.

The opposition party highlighted 51 names believed to be relatives and cronies of President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, relatives of the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, among other top government officials, claiming they have occupied various positions by virtue of their association with the government officials.

Reacting to the claims, the General Secretary of the People’s National Convention, Atik Mohammed said, even though the NDC may have a point in their allegations, it is about time the various stakeholders sat to define the perimeters of what constitute nepotism and what does not.

“ Civil society groups and all stakeholders must come together to define the  perimeters  of what constitute nepotism because this thing has been with us for a very long time, it came up during president Kufour’s time, President Mahama’s time and now this……it is a conversation that needs to be had” he said.

According to him, one thing that breeds nepotism is patronage and that also needs to be addressed

“ There are people that will help you through your journey and so you are likely to reward them as a sign of appreciation when you win power……patronage breeds nepotism” he said