Costly Joke  

If the attempt to create space for Akua Donkor in local politics, especially in the realm of the presidency, is a kind of joke, the fun is getting out of hand.

As a comic relief in a country bedevilled with seemingly intractable problems, the joke of her new role in government comes in handy but beyond that she is a cipher as mathematicians would refer to a figure with no significant value.

A joke ceases to be one when it poses a financial strain on the kitty of the state as far as governance is concerned, more so in a country still taking the bitter pill of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). That is the story of Akua Donkor who is now a regular feature of presidential delegation opportunities, which offer radio stations comic shows when they interview her about the trips.

Many Ghanaians who have followed the jokes wonder what premium the woman could be adding to the president's political project.

Imagine having her on investment teams led by President Mahama and the subsequent interviews she would be granting to radio stations. Unable to articulate the import of such forums she attends, she ends up talking as though on a campaign platform – insults et al.

Not only are her responses to questions posed by journalists off the mark, but her manners are also just disturbing. Imagine her crude interruptions on air as she announces her movement to the washroom in a manner which leaves listeners laughing their hearts out.

A woman who does not even know what to let out to the media in her comic sessions with them would one day embarrass the president himself when she crosses the redline of confidentiality by spilling out so much. Maybe the president would be guarded by her crudeness and be mindful about what he (president) lets out.

Some people think that Mr Mahama could have a hidden use for the woman who constitutes nothing but a political nuisance.

We might not be in a position to recommend a woman for the political establishment to consider for the juicy presidential trips, but can bet there are better ones who can serve the purpose for which the likes of Akua Donkor feature largely.

In local missions such as the infamous Talensi by-elections where her presence was needed to give her the semblance of a leader of a non-existent political party supporting the incumbent government, the machination is understandable.

Not so when foreign trips, of which she is always a part, are specialised missions requiring specialised academic expertise.

Akua Donkor is a full-blooded NDC person who is playacting the role of a non-existent political party.

Some people have theorised that making her relevant in local politics, as the president is doing, is a means of taunting those who want her de-emphasised. Be it as it may, including her on presidential trips constitutes a drain on the state purse.