Opinions of Friday, 20 August 2010

Columnist: Nyakey, Victor

I Won’t Judge President Mills

Story by Victor Nyakey

A former Member of Parliament for the Ketu South Constituency, Lieutenant Colonel Retired Charles Kofi Agbenaza, said he would not make public his assessment of President John Evans Atta-Mills’ first term in office, since such actions are unhealthy and tantamount to ruining a nation.

‘’I will not sit here and judge Professor Mills, let alone compare and contrast the leadership style of former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kuffour, because such action can destroy a nation.’’ He hinted.
Speaking in an interview with Israel Pentem, host of morning show on Holy Fm, a local radio station at Aflao, the veteran politician, advised that President Mills himself should come out and tell the NDC and the citizenry what makes him think that he is capable of ruling the nation for a second term, should he intend to make a come – back in 2012.

The former NDC MP who doubles as a former Volta and Central Regional Minister respectively, disclosed that he believed all is not well, taking into consideration some developments in the party, especially in the Ketu South Constituency.

Hon. Agbenaza noted that the Ketu South NDC is being confronted with various issues of conflict in role performance resulting in the hindrance of development projects in the constituency and therefore called on elders of the party to intervene and instil discipline.

He alleged that some leaders in the ruling NDC have failed to consider the concerns of chiefs and opinion leaders in the constituency and thereby carry out projects with their own discretion.

Hon Charles Agbenaza described as unfortunate and unfounded, rumours being perpetrated by Hon. Albert K. Ziga, incumbent Ketu South NDC MP that the former, has sold a party car which he used for political campaign in 1996 without due process and subsequently squandered the proceeds.

According to the former MP, the car in question was provided by one Mr. Kamara, also a stanch member of the NDC, to facilitate the party’s campaign.
He said Mr. Kamara withdrew the car and sold it out after that successful campaign.

The former MP alleged that, ignorant of the fact that the car belonged to Kamara, Mr. Albert Ziga, whom he tirelessly helped to become his successor, has gone public speculating that the former has crippled the NDC by selling a car that was meant for its campaigns.

Hon. Agbenaza said but for the intervention of National Executive of the NDC he would have proven his innocence by taking legal actions against the sitting MP, Albert Kwasi Zigah.

He also advised members of the ruling NDC to stop making comments that would seek to destroy the party’s fortune come 2012 but was quick to add that it was important for Ghanaians to vote according to personality instead of party colours.


Blowing his own trumpet, the former Member of Parliament, said he disbursed the MP’s common fund equitably in the provision of classrooms and street lights as well as other amenities, during his two successive terms in office between 1996 and 2000.
Hon Agbenaza said he also lobbied in parliament for supplementary fund which was used to reconstruct the Havedzi-Agorko road and a culvert at Denu junction, all in the Ketu South constituency.