Franklin Cudjoe, the President of IMANI Africa, has raised a pointed demand, asking whether Hon. Kwakye Ofosu can clarify if the cost of President John Mahama’s trip to The Gambia and Senegal on his brother’s private jet was classified as a gift to the state and properly declared.
Cudjoe highlighted that the president’s brother is a private citizen, making it crucial to determine if the flight, associated with a private individual, was appropriately treated in accordance with state protocols.
“I understand President John Dramani Mahama recently traveled to the Gambia and Senegal on his brother’s private jet.
“The Acting spokesman for the president, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, explained that the visit was at no cost to the taxpayer, and l chose to believe it given the president’s brother is a generous man and has done some public good in the past with his own money”.
Franklin Cudjoe
Franklin Cudjoe emphasized the critical importance of transparency in government dealings, arguing that such transparency is essential for the integrity of public trust.
He pointed out that, as the public is well aware, not long ago, a finance minister from the recently ousted NPP government claimed that he was not receiving a salary.
The public, trusting his words, accepted this claim, but the consequences have been far-reaching and dire.
Cudjoe lamented that the nation now finds itself burdened by a massive debt crisis, with the government resorting to ‘pickpocketing’ the modest savings of innocent and defenseless citizens under the guise of a debt exchange program.
He indicated that to make matters worse, the country’s economy now faces the added blow of being junk-rated, reflecting the disastrous economic mismanagement.
Accordingly, Cudjoe sent a warning to the public, stressing the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and responsible governance to avoid such catastrophic financial outcomes in the future.
Cudjoe Expresses Optimism Over President’s Ministerial Nominees for Key Sectors
Meanwhile, Franklin Cudjoe expressed his approval for the president’s ministerial nominees for critical sectors, stating that they continue to demonstrate strong potential.
He highlighted that the individuals selected for key positions appear well-suited to address the pressing challenges facing the country, with the hope that their leadership will contribute positively to the nation’s development.
Cudjoe expressed optimism about the capabilities of the President’s choices, suggesting that these appointments could bring the much-needed expertise and direction to the crucial areas of governance.
“…we should be thrilled by their experience and maturity in their responses at the confirmation hearings or vetting when the nominees for Agriculture, Roads and Transport and Education appear before the appointments committee in Parliament.
Franklin Cudjoe
Cudjoe noted that, hopefully, the questions posed during the confirmation process of these appointees would be rigorous and thorough, as part of what IMANI fellow Mr. Ato Coleman refers to as “screening methodologies beyond political affiliations.”
He emphasized the importance of evaluating ministerial nominees based on their qualifications, competencies, and ability to deliver results, rather than relying solely on political connections.
Cudjoe expressed hope that this approach would lead to the selection of leaders who are not only capable but also committed to serving the public interest, ensuring effective governance and positive outcomes for the country.
According to Cudjoe, Mr. Ato Coleman argues that there is a need for a more robust performance management system that clearly and transparently tracks the objectives, outputs, and outcomes delivered by ministers and their teams.
He emphasized the importance of defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and establishing a clear process to monitor and measure progress.
Cudjoe expressed his agreement with this view, underscoring that such a system would ensure greater accountability and efficiency in governance.
He believes that by making performance more visible and measurable, the government can better assess whether its ministers are meeting their mandates and delivering results for the people.
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