Don’t politicise Prof Atta Mills nomination for national honours- Asamoah
Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng,
Minister of Information and National-Orientation on Friday urged
Ghanaians to refrain from “doing politics with Prof. Evans Atta-Mills'
nomination” for the nation's highest award, saying nominees are awarded
strictly on merit.
He said he was not in the position to tell whether or not Professor
Atta-Mills' nomination, which has generated so much controversy in the
political and the media circles, would finally be given the thumps up, until
President Kufuor returns from his trip outside the country.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng was addressing a meeting with Information
Officers and staff as well as Municipal and District Chief Executives in
Brong-Ahafo.
The purpose of the meeting was to familiarise himself with the
operations of the Information Service Department in the region and to
interact with its staff.
The Minister said it was not the intention of the NPP government to
score political points with the award “but was doing so. strictly as a matter
of principle”.
“He (Prof Mills) would be awarded if he deserves it. I cannot say
whether he would be neglected or would be included among the list of
those to be awarded until the President is back from his trips.
“As at now, no decision has been taken on the date for this national
award programme. It could be before Christmas or next year in January or
February”, he stated.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng appealed to the officers to be focused as they go
about disseminating information on government policies and asked them to
undertake this duty devoid of political “colourisation”.
The Information and National Orientation Minister also urged them to
build strong relationship with their subordinates, while seeking clarification
from their Municipal/District Chief Executives on any issue, which they
were not clear about so that they can give accurate information on current
issues.
He promised to restore other incentives in the service to the workers,
provided they work hard and support the government's development
agenda.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng urged MCEs and DCEs to collaborate with the
security agencies to arrest private Information Service Officers who
operate without licences in the region.