Bagbin warns of elective tyranny

Minority Leader, Alban Bagbin has criticized Volta River Authority (VRA) Board of Directors’ directive for the interdiction of two top men of the authority, saying due process was not followed.

According to Bagbin, the reason given for the interdiction of the two is not clear. He wonders why in this era of “freedom of information” people could be interdicted for giving information to the press. “We have not been told whether the information allegedly leaked by the two men was classified,” Bagbin said.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Minority NDC group in Parliament on one year of NPP rule, Bagbin warned of what he called “elective tyranny,” if the executive continues to take for granted the goodwill they now enjoy.

The VRA Board of Directors earlier this week directed its Chief Executive, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby to interdict the deputy Chief Executive, Resources and Services, Mr. Eric Yankah and the Director of Human Resources, Major John Gyasi (Rtd) with immediate effect.

MP for Bole and former Minister for Communications, John Mahama condemned Dr. Wereko-Brobby’s reasons for coverting part of the office into a shower, saying “there was no need for the installation.” The minority press conference took a critical look at the one-year rule of the NPP government and said it was “unreliable and disappointing.”

According to the minority, any significant developments or achievements within the one-year period of the stewardship of the NPP were commissioning of projects that had been implemented by the NDC government. “Examples are the Barry Calebaut Cocoa processing factory, the Crown Cork factory which is an extension of the Camand Metal Box factory and the Tongu Fruits Projects, etc, all of them being approved Freezone projects by the NDC.”

Unfortunately, the other key Freezone anchor projects within the Tema Enclave seem to be suffering as a result of the regime’s rather ambivalent attitude towards investments from countries of the South, Bagbin told the press conference.

According to the minority, since the advent of the NPP to power, many mining companies have either folded up or withdrawn from the country. Bagbin said government’s imposition of a 5 per cent duty on mining imports has increased the cost build-up of mining companies in the country per ounce of gold, a situation which according to the minority is creating a more difficult operating environment for the companies.

The minority says almost all the mining companies in the country are closing down due to the difficult environment created for them by the NPP government. “From 20 companies, we are likely to have only three in operation.” On transportation in the country, the minority says nothing at all has been done. “Apart from the importation of over-aged right-hand drive double decker buses for urban transportation, nothing noteworthy can be said to have occurred in this area,” Bagbin told the press conference.

He said he is aware of moves by the sector minister to amend the law on over-age vehicles to make it possible for government to import more over-age vehicles. In an answer to a question as to what the minority will do about the illegal right-hand drive double-decker vehicles, Bagbin said the nation must discuss and take a position as to whether it wants government to go ahead with the illegality or it wants to take action. “It is not for the minority alone to proceed to court.”

... And is warned by Interior Minister

Interior Minister Malek Al- Hassan Yakubu MP last Wednesday threw down the gauntlet. He and NPP opinion leaders from the Northern Region literally hijacked the conference room of the Information ministry from an NGO, to set the records straight. So what seemed like a well cheorograghed script ended with the minister, spelling out his new message to minority leader Albin Bagbin.

Alhaji Malek Al-Hassan Yakubu explained to the media in Accra that contrary to the minority leader’s “disingenuous efforts to create the false impression of a breakdown of law and order, insecurity and persecution of political opponents in the country”, the NPP government is sincere about promoting a culture of decency, tolerance and maturity.

But while there was nobody from the other side of the political divide to collaborate or otherwise what was been debunked, the hall was told of how a BENCH 64, an NDC group that has earned enough notoriety for its penchant for violence had sought to disturb the piece of the Tamale Municipality by organising a noisy rally . At the rally Mr Bagbin was alleged to have referred to the northern wing of cabinet as watchmen, a statement that had offended the sensibilities of the constituents belonging to the NPP.

Virtually calling his actions dishonourable, Alhaji Malek described Mr Bagbin as a politician with a foul agenda who could “ cook up a false story to give........a bad name.” The minister promised to institute investigations into the allegation of watchman calling and other acts of provocation and recommend prosecution if necessary.

But he was quick to add that the politics of impunity and brutality as seen in the past would not be seen again.