Newly appointed Ambassador-at-Large, Dr. Edward Nasigre Mahama has refuted claims by PNC National Chairman, Bernard Mornah that he did not inform the party before accepting an Ambassadorial role offered by the President.
According to him, his appointment wasn’t shrouded in secrecy as being speculated by some section of the public.
He cited his running-mate in the 2016 elections and some other key party members whom he whose designation or names he refused to provide as being in the known of his decision to accept.
The decision by the five-time Presidential Aspirant to accept an appointment from the governing Akufo-Addo-led NPP administration hasn’t gone down well with some members of his party like Bernard Mornah.
He said per the party’s constitution, he is the head of the party, followed by his running-mate and then the Chairman of the party.
“I have done several interviews indicating that I am willing to accept any appointment in the interest of Ghana. Even as late as Friday I was asked if I will accept an appointment if offered and I said yes, so it hasn’t been anything wrapped in secrecy. On various radio stations and TV media, I have declared it.”
He debunked the impression being created by some party functionaries that he sidestepped protocol by not informing the party asserting that he has always expressed his willingness to serve under this government when given the opportunity.
He emphasised that he has no links with the NPP, either in ideology or admiration for the flagbearer as some people suggest.
He insisted that he wasn’t constitutionally mandated to inform specific people and as such, as leader of the party he was guided by the constitution.
He noted that as the constitution requires, he will organise a standing committee meeting to inform the party officially of his decision to accept the offer and was ready to accept the feedback from the party.
“I didn’t call a party structure like the standing committee, NEC or Congress to inform them about this appointment, but some people who needed to know, know the others who do not know will be informed because now that it is confirmed that I got the job, the next thing is to call a standing committee meeting and then inform them what the president has informed them and what they expect me to do and officially let them know. The party will be officially informed in a structured meeting,” he asserted.
“I won’t tell you who I have informed but for example my running-mate is aware, the party chairman is not above him in the hierarchy of our party. In the PNC, he is above the party chairman, he is the deputy leader. So when they accuse me because they have refused to take the public statements I have made in their presence then I don’t know what to say again. I am the leader, my running-mate is the deputy leader, the chairman, general secretary, treasurer the national organiser and regional organiser, that group is the Standing Committee and I will call it when I have the exact details of my role,” he detailed.
Edward Mahama believes that his appointment is an opportunity to serve the country.
He explains that for a person like himself who has contested the Presidential elections on five occasions, the only motive he has to accept such an offer is to serve his country and contribute his quota to its development.
He stated, “I am going to be [an] Ambassador of Ghana, not Ambassador of NPP or PNC, its Ghana and for me any role that I can play for Ghana, I think I ought to play it and if anyone doesn’t accept that I have a role to play that’s their problem”.
The 2016 presidential aspirant of the PNC was appointed by President Akufo-Addo to be an Ambassador-at-Large.
He explains that for a person like himself who has contested the Presidential elections on five occasions, the only motive he has to accept such an offer is to serve his country and contribute his quota to its development.
He stated, “I am going to be [an] Ambassador of Ghana, not Ambassador of NPP or PNC, its Ghana and for me any role that I can play for Ghana, I think I ought to play it and if anyone doesn’t accept that I have a role to play that’s their problem”.
The 2016 presidential aspirant of the PNC was appointed by President Akufo-Addo to be an Ambassador-at-Large.
