New EC Chair: Asiedu Nketia tells Prof Oquaye to shut up

The General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress [NDC], Johnson Asiedu Nketia has described the former second deputy speaker of Ghana's Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye as a “confused old man”.

According to him, it is irrational for Prof. Mike Oquaye to challenge the basis for the names shortlisted as possible replacement for the outgoing chairman of the Electoral Commission [EC].

“I think our father Prof. Mike Ocquaye is suffering from old age now. He is a confused man now with his utterances. Just recently, he advised on how the procedure to replace Dr. Afari Gyan should be done to avoid any court issue. I lauded him for that…but now I am much surprised with what he is saying. He is a confused man,” he said.

Prof. Mike Ocquaye had earlier questioned the criteria used in shortlisting a successor to the EC position and emphasized the need for "broader and wider consultation" in order to determine an undisputable standard for selecting the new electoral commissioner.

The current deputy EC commissioners, Georgina Opoku Amankwaa and Amadu Sule, two Court of Appeal Judges: Justice Senyo Dzamefe and Justice Kofi Gyan, Charlotte Osei as chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey of IDEC, were in the news as having been shortlisted as possible replacement for Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan.

But the former NPP MP is convinced that the people behind pushing this shortlist into the public have a hidden agenda for which he has fears for the country.

“I am aware that the chairmen of the various political parties with representation in parliament, including the chairman of the ruling party, are all supporting the need for consultation on this important appointment. So, my question is, if we all agree to consultation before appointment, then where from this so-called shortlist? Having a shortlist makes nonsense of prior consultation,” Prof Ocquaye said.

However, speaking on OKAY FM, the NDC General Secretary expressed surprise at Prof Ocquaye's stance and was convinced that he (Ocquaye) is possibly suffering from old age because he finds his submission confusing and contradictory to his earlier demand to allow the constitution to work as it has been the norm in the past.

General Mosquito, as he is affectionately called, counseled Prof. Mike Oquaye to “shut up” if he has nothing of essence to say on the issue.

“I think Prof Mike Ocquaye is suffering the effects of old age because it looks as if he is a bit confused. He recently warned against those going contrary to the provision and procedures in the constitution in appointing the next EC boss…I don’t know where he slept that he has turned around to speak against the constitutional mandate of the president to appoint the next EC boss upon the advice of the Council of State,” he stated.

“He [Prof Mike] must shut up...or he might say something concerning this issue and later regret,” he said.