Pianim full of Praise for JAK

Mr. Kwame Pianim, a former presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party in 1996 believes that President John Agyekum Kufuor is good for Ghana.

“He has brought dignity, respect and serenity to the Presidency of Ghana”, he told JOY FM breakfast man-Komal Dumor yesterday.

According to Mr. Pianim, an economist who left the NPP last year but has offered advice to the Kufuor financial team in the drawing up of the temporary budget for this year, it would have been disastrous for Ghana if some rabble rousers had won the presidency.

Without describing them as rabble rousers, he mentioned names like Tony Aidoo, and Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings as persons who would have been bad for Ghana. Mr. Pianim said that Kufour has proved decisive when he had to be and has appointed a good team to work with him.

In a rare assessment of the President’s men he gave Kufuor full credit for his choice, and did not fault the President too much for appointing Mallam Yusuf Issah as the Minister of Sports.

This is how the famous economist rated the President’s men:

Mr. Osafo Marfo -Minister of Finance
“He consults and listens. He consulted the business sector before he decided on his budget. He made adjustments to the development levy when the business community made an input”

Dr. Addo Kufuor -Minister of Defence
“He listens, has the courage to accept his faults and is a learner. He can carry the military along and let them feel he is one of them” Major Couarage Quarshigah-Minister of Agriculture “This is one person who combines the ability to teach and learn. He punctuates his conversations with proverbs and parables”

Hackman Owusu Agyeman-Minister of Foreign Affairs,
“Quite but politically astute”

K. Baah Wiredu-Minister for Local Government
. “Humble and hardworking”.

Dr. Kwesi Nduom-Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration
“He is sharp and has the ability to reach civil society and explain to detail major issues. The choice of Dr. Abena Busia, an English Professor as deputy to Dr. Nduom is a bright one”.

C.O. Nyanor-Minister of State for Private Sector
“C.O has been there for some time and been behind many positive initiatives like the Stock Exchange. He is the best choice to pass on his rich knowledge to the young”.

On the controversial appointment of Mallam Issah as Minister of Sports, Mr. Pianim said it was a smart move to give the youth a chance and said he was impressed when Mallam Isaah talked about rubbing brains, a Nigerian term for brainstorming.

He said that appointment was not a mistake.

Mr. Pianim who said that he is opposed to HIPC said that even the decision to go HIPC showed President Kufuor was a hands-on President.

According to him he as a member of the budget committee was surprised to hear about Ghana’s acceptance of HIPC but gave the President the benefit of the doubt since he is privy to more information than him and others.

Mr. Pianim who is a Catholic believes this Presidency is Divinely-ordained and says that after only 100 days in office, the Kufuor Presidency is on course.