Mahama makes decision based on NDC Dictates or Constitutional Provisions? – PNC

• Posted on April 2, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

General Secretary of the People’s National Convention, Bernard Mornah has questioned the basis for the calls on President John Dramani Mahama to reinstate the District Chief Executive of Ahafo Ano South, Gabriel Barima.

Bernard Mornah censured the plea by the National Executive Council of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) which advocated the return of the DCE after his dismissal.

The former DCE, became a household name when he was captured in a recorded video that went viral, storming out of a function angrily after a staff of Mankranso hospital heckled him while he was addressing the gathering.

His conduct incurred the wrath of many Ghanaians leading to calls for his dismissal. But after apologising to the President for his behaviour, Gabriel Barima was subsequently forgiven.

But an unrepentant Hon Gabriel Barima told a JoyFM reporter a few weeks after the abrupt walk-out episode that he has no regrets for the statement and demanded royalties for his infamous slang, “Tweaaa.”

Consequently, President Mahama relieved him of his post as DCE.

However, the NDC’s NEC, in a statement signed on Sunday March 30, by the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, called on the President to reconsider his decision.

“We strongly believe that if the President has had the full and accurate brief about the following facts of the case his decision on the matter would have been different……if left to stand will not only amount to serious injustice to the DCE but will seek to dampen the enthusiasm of other DCEs in their attempt to deal with indiscipline and corruption in their various areas of jurisdiction,” the statement read.

But Bernard Mornah is wondering whether there was any NDC NEC meeting on the subject of Gabriel Barima’s dismissal citing assertions by a Deputy General Secretary, Kofi Adams as expressed doubts about any NEC meeting because according to him, “General Mosquito said they went for NEC (meeting) but his Deputy has denied knowledge of it.”

Speaking on Oman FM, he explained that he (President Mahama) takes decision in his capacity as President and therefore wondered why the NDC General Secretary would mount pressure on the president regarding the dismissal of a DCE.

“Does President Mahama make decisions based on the provisions enshrined in the constitution or his party?” he quizzed.

To him, President Mahama must be resolute when he makes decisions pertaining to how the country is governed because even if his party denounces him, it still does not affect his supreme authority over the nation.

credit: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi