Three compete for Bani's job

...Victor Smith’s name pops up

As President John Dramani Mahama ready himself to announce the final batch of his appointees to be affected by his famous “Green Letter”, a key position at the seat of government that has generated varying interest and intense lobbying is that of the Chief of Staff.

Deep throat sources at the “big house” have disclosed to The aL-hAJJ how two heavyweights of the governing National Democratic Congress are being touted by their respective backers and “godfathers” to replace Prosper Douglas Kweku Bani.

The aL-hAJJ has gathered that Presidential Staffer, Ambassador Baba Kamara and surprisingly, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Victor Emmanuel Smith are in strong contention for the Chief of Staff position expected to be announced any time soon.

Despite what sources described as spirited challenge from Baba Kamara and Victor Smith for the third highest post at the seat of government after the President and the Vice, obdurate Prosper Bani remains unyielding and he is said to be doing all he can to maintain the post.

Recent media reports indicate that ever since President Mahama issued what has now become known as “green letter” to all appointees at the Flagstaff House warning of imminent shake-up, the hitherto perceived snooty and haughty Chief of Staff is said to have dramatically “reformed”, returning phone calls, text messages and letters promptly, smiling and exchanging pleasantries with all workers including the security personnel at the Flag Staff House.

Prosper Bani, a boyhood friend of President Mahama, has come under heavy criticism from leading members of the NDC including party stalwarts from his native Volta region for various reasons but not limited to his unaccommodating posturing.

He has been blamed for the not-too-good relationship between the Mahama government and the NDC party which has culminated into grass root agitations and growing attrition within the party.

Impeccable sources at the seat of government told The aL-hAJJ that Ambassador Baba Kamara was tipped to replace Mr Bani when there was a clamour for his ousting until out of the blue the emergence of the High Commissioner to UK and former Eastern regional minister, who according to our sources is likely to get the nod.

However, ‘stubborn’ Bani, who according to our sources still enjoys some form of support from President Mahama’s household, is said to have vowed not to let go his job, and has accordingly, mounted a rigorous strategy to retain his post.

Another source at the presidency familiar with goings-on has however tipped Alhaji Baba Kamara to be announced as the next Chief of Staff to President Mahama, a role they say he is already performing albeit, non-official.

Though some party bigwigs are raising eyebrows over the sudden surfacing of Ambassador Victor Smith’s name for the post, with claims he was just recently sent on foreign mission, sources say should he get the nod, the brother of late President Mills, Dr Cadman Mills, who was initially penciled as Ghana’s envoy to the United States of America, could possibly replace him.