Why Was The Sekyere (Kumawu) Afram Plains DCE Sacked?

Mr. Philip Basoah, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Sekyere Afram Plains has been booted out of his post by the NPP government. "A statement signed by Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, gave no reasons for the action". But in any civilized society, the reasons for relieving a public functionary of their post are always made known; not only to themselves but also, to the public. Did our noble Honourable Minister Kwadwo Adjei-Darko exhibit the slightest of this civility when the need called for Hon. Basoah's immediate dismissal? No! Did he have the decency to notify him of his dismissal in a formal way other than on the airwaves? No! What a Minister of typical Ghanaian-mindedness, who lacks in the art of responsible politics and management?

Anyway, I have endeavoured to establish the reason(s) for his unceremonious removal from office after a number of phone calls to very reliable sources. Simply put, he was kicked out of office for being frank with the sitting-MP for the Kumawu Constituency and the District Chairman of the NPP, Mr. Adusei. The MP is said to have colluded with the Chairman, and had attempted to offer a hefty bribe to the NPP District Executives to retain him unopposed to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections on the ticket of the NPP party. The honest and industrious DCE declined to partake in this fraud, and wouldn't succumb to any evil deed. He would so to speak, have none of that. He rather opted for the "golden principle" in which the NPP prides itself as being so far the best democratic party in Ghana. The NPP stands out for championing or trumpeting free and fair elections, freedom of this, freedom of that. Why then this hatched dodgy plot to ward off eligible contestants, he must have said to himself? He was of the opinion and determination that others willing to contest with the MP at the primaries for the NPP parliamentary candidacy at the next elections must be allowed to fill in and submit their nomination forms. This action by the DCE was considered a snarl to impinge on the MP's pharisaic claim to the Kumawu Constituency seat for a lifetime. The noble MP and the Chairman then made for Accra to report the DCE. He was summoned to the NPP Head office and then to the office of the Minister of Local Government to be queried about his action. Having left the office, thinking all was well, it was concluded behind his back that his action was unwarranted. It could endanger the chances of the NPP winning the seat. It could render the supposed incumbent MP incapable of returning to parliament. The MP is alleged to be boasting of being promised a Ministerial post by the NPP presidential candidate, Nana Akuffo Addo-Dankwah, if the NPP wins. He is therefore bent on leaving no stone unturned to get re-elected.

It must be noted that Kumawu Constituency is a safe haven for the NPP party. As it was once said in an NDC meeting, "Kumawu constituency is one of the two Constituencies in Ghana where if a dog was nominated to contest on NPP ticket, it would beat any candidate from any party hands down". The NPP has then no recourse to the action taken if the NDC's perception and or assertion about the constituency are any truth to go by. The Kumawu constituency with her mother Sekyere East Constituency is known to always vote for the Dankwah-Busia party. Why then this panic, leading to the absurd dismissal of Hon. Basoah? Was there the need for any underhand dealing if the MP had been performing satisfactorily? I am afraid this unsavoury attitude by the NPP will cost them dearly. Kumawu Constituency now deserves better. The constituents will not permit having anyone of not their choice imposed on them. Their avowed determination to prove the NPP wrong should anything untoward happen, will be shockingly noticeable at the general elections. It will all be thumps down for the NPP. Kumawu Constituency deserves the service of competent MPs. If the sitting MP turns competent with a little help from the government, manifested even in belated realization of essential developmental projects for the Constituency, then I will be the first person to campaign for his re-election. In the absence of this, he should forget it.

The re-instatement of our dynamically dedicated, skilful and honest DCE is called for. On the contrary, the Sector Minister, the MP, and the NPP District Chairman can disclose their version of the issue leading to his dismissal. The non-disclosure of the reasons for his dismissal is very unacceptable. If he had engaged in any immoral or financial malpractices, we deserve to know and he has to face the full rigours of the law. It is sad that the condonation of corruption within the NPP is unprecedented. The NPP government is obliged by law and also by moral principle to tell why so many of the DCEs have been sacked lately.

Constructive critics are pointers to the right path. I admire them. Destructive critics have nothing good to offer in our efforts to find durable solutions to our umpteen problems. Anyone is entitled to their opinions. I will always stand for the truth. Learn to agree to disagree with me, all those who find my expressed views very worrisome.

Alex Adomako-Mensah, London