Mills Is Not A Womanizer -Asoma Banda

‘…Neither is he corrupt nor dishonest’

A business tycoon and Member of Council of State, Alhaji Asoma Banda, has said that the Mills administration will succeed because the President is not a corrupt person and womanizer.

“The level of honesty and the integrity of President Mills will enable him to do good things for Ghana,” he said.

Alhaji Banda’s assertion comes after a New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, Hon. Maxwell Kofi Jumah, alleged that Madam Patricia Appiagyei was made the Mayor of Kumasi based on sexual favours she offered to a certain powerful figure in the NPP administration. Citing a case in the past, Alhaji Banda said former President Kufuor was accused by Gizelle Yajzi of having twins with her, an allegation the former President has so far denied, asserting that he had no amorous relationship with the lady. Alhaji Banda, who was speaking in an interview with The Enquirer on wide range of issues on governance, the economy and other related matters, said that money and women have been the destroyer of fine politicians.

“Prof. Mills, for me, is too honest for Ghanaians and that is why some people are not happy with him and I know he will definitely succeed,” he said. The country would have been something else if any other person was to be the president, he said, adding that “Prof. Mills is indeed God sent”. Alhaji Banda said that since Prof. Mills took over the presidency he has indicated beyond doubt that he is unifier.

“Various appointments he has made over the years were done without giving credence to party colours and that one alone speaks for the President,” he added.

Mandatory Two Terms For President & Presidential Candidates Alhaji Banda, who throughout the interview reminded The Enquirer of his Convention People’s Party (CPP) background and membership, said that a critical look should be made to make the presidency’s two terms mandatory.

According to him, that would offer the President the much needed time to work as expected.

“As it is now whoever is in charge may not have enough time to work. Next year, for instance, will be the starting point for political campaigning and, again, the President may be thinking of who will come to contest him,” he said. The Council of State member said that the time had come for all political parties to change their manifestos so that candidates would serve two terms. “With that there would not be room for money to reign supreme in the body politic as it is happening today,” he said.

Alhaji Banda, who has over the years been consistently maintained the idea of having the Parliamentary system of government in Ghana, said that politicians are simply not ready to have that system.

“Let me tell you why, the African has always been a dictator and our leaders are simply obsessed with having too much power in their hands,” he said. He told The Enquirer that the Parliamentary system would make the head of government to answer directly to the people of Ghana.

“The President now controls Parliament, Judiciary and the Executive and that is not the best at all,” he said.

The Economy

Alhaji Banda said that the government has performed creditably with its economic policies.

“The kind of thing that the NDC inherited was not the best, but it has managed to turn things round,” he said.

According to him, the current economic meltdown is not in Ghana alone and that the so-called developed nations are the worst hit.

Alhaji Banda, who is well noted for his blunt assessment of issues, said that it would take two or more years for the situation to change worldwide. Touching on Ghanaian business, he told The Enquirer that the Ghanaian businessman or woman is always afraid to talk when there is a problem. “The fact of the matter is that businessmen and women have turned themselves into politicians. Of course, it is not bad for a businessman to sympathize with a party but we should be independent,” he said.

He said that the Ghanaian business community is presently not visible and has been overshadowed by foreigners. “The government should empower the local businessmen to help put an end to the situation where the government is the biggest employer,” he said. Alhaji Banda, who spoke so passionately about business, said that Ghanaian business could employ more people if they are empowered by government.