Pressure On Prez. Mahama: 1st Lady accused Of running parallel presidency

Regrettable perceptions and information out there, less than one year after their investiture as the first family of Ghana is that, Her Excellency Madam Lordina Mahama, wife of President John Mahama who though was born in Damango but comes from Bole all in the Northern region is the one calling the shots at the presidency to the extent that, all who want appointments whether qualified or otherwise, simply have to go through the first lady, herself, a native of Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo region.

Madam Lordina, who it is public knowledge never approved of Mr. Mahama’s continued involvement in national politics and was on record to have proclaimed in 2004 that “John shall only become NDC running-mate over my dead body” according to sources close to the first family, has suddenly developed insatiable appetite and quest for power and is wielding enormous influence than it was ever seen of any first lady in recent memory, including the ever-powerful Mrs. Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Mrs. Theresa Kufuor and the soft speaking Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills.

Indeed, some of the embittered folks around the presidency, in the government and among the party who accepted to speak to this paper on strict condition of anonymity, equated the first lady’s deportment and authority to the likes of former first ladies of Philippines and Ivory Coast, Imelda Marcos and Simone Gbagbo; “all that one needs in looking for an appointment in this government is to seek refuge in Madam for her endorsement and get some media guys to publish that you have been appointed to the said position…, voila! You can be assured of getting what you wished for,” one narrated.

Even though, hardly would any one hear most of those grumbling on the supposed rise and ‘disturbing influence’ of the President’s wife speak publicly for obvious reasons, behind the scenes they nag about how Madam Lordina is distantly ‘shaping’ affairs at the Flagstaff House including appointments, determining government policies but not limited to deciding who goes on presidential travels, this they say is not the best for the first family, the government and the ruling National Democratic Congress.

The situation regrettable as it may be if indeed it’s true, is said to be attaining disturbing proportion by the day, in that it is becoming the talk of town not just among ordinary people who can be pardoned, but senior members of government and the party, confidantes of the president, captains of business and even, renowned men of God with close affinity to the first family.

Ironically, whereas these kind of accusations under the country’s ‘normal’ political circumstances is most often associated with what is repeatedly referred to as ‘opposition politics’, this particular unfortunate damning accusation is not emanating from elements within the opposition New Patriotic Party, but from high ranking figures of the ruling party and government.

A very dependable source at the seat of government for example, told this paper of how a very prominent and respectable man of God with large following on one of the busiest streets in the Accra-Tema metropolis, and with convenient proximity to the first couple and all former presidents of Ghana, has been expressing worry about the state of affairs and have consistently been calling the attention of well-known acquaintances and kinsmen of the president to counsel him to do ‘something’ about it before it gets off hand.

Another disturbing trend this paper has been informed of is that, due to Madam Lordina’s soaring demeanor, some people close to her but who have also found themselves ‘working’ at the presidency are taking undue advantage of their familiarity and are generating all kinds of problems for the presidency whiles they are constantly being tolerated, even though some of them are thought not be in possession of official appointment letters.

To the extent that some hitherto audacious and virulent media detractors of the NDC party and government in past, but who have suddenly found themselves at the center of attraction at the seat of government are said to be exploiting their proximity to the first lady and manipulating the ‘system’. (More on that soon)

It would be recalled that the first lady, not long ago, denied similar allegations by some kingpins of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) with flag bearer ambitions of denying them an even playing field ahead of the party’s congress to elect a leader for the 2016 election by surreptitiously employing incumbency advantages to capture the support of the women’s wing of the party for her husband.

An anonymous senior member of the party accused the first lady of hijacking the presidency and running it like a family business and at the same time letting in friends to feed on what others have toiled to build.