Mills Rewards Pratt Boys

Prez Atta Mills and Kwesi Pratt Jnr President John Evans Atta Mills is rewarding frontliners of the Committee for Joint Action (CJA), apparently for their contribution to his 2008 electoral victory through street protests.

The political pressure group, whose field commander is Kwesi Pratt, a notorious political agitator, was virtually an arm of the then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), and in the wake of the electioneering campaign, was consistent in spearheading street protests, demonstrations and blistering attacks against almost every policy of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)-led government.

In an apparent 'thank you for a job well done' gesture, President Mills has by design appointed as Ministers and Deputy Ministers all, except for about three of the CJA leaders who gave the former administration a hard time.

Castle sources say Ato Ahwoi, who was a CJA chief strategist, has been given a strong voice within the corridors of power in deciding on how the positions should be distributed.

The few frontliners of the CJA yet to take ministerial positions include Kwesi Pratt himself and Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, Chairman of the People's National Convention (PNC) who happens to be the father of Samira Bawumia, wife of the NPP running mate for the 2008 elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Apart from the above-mentioned CJA leaders, all other frontliners have either been nominated or assured of an appointment in Mills' government.

Sources say Dr. David Percy, a CJA guru and a member of the comatose National Reform Party (NRP) and Bernard Mornah, also a top shot of the CJA who is currently outside the country, have both been tipped to hold appointments in different government agencies.

Pratt will however maintain his regular radio and television appearances in order to check 'troublesome' NPP commentators.

Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, a deposed former President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) who shot to the political limelight only through his association with the CJA, has been nominated as a Deputy Minister for Information despite the uncomplimentary baggage dangling on his neck from the University of Ghana, Legon. Okudzeto is yet to graduate officially from the premier university.

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, who recently led the CJA to demonstrate against the controversial ex-gratia saga, has also been nominated for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.

Another CJA don, Antwi Bosiako-Sekyere, has been nominated for the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare while the assertive Ama Benyiwa Doe, the 'Iron Lady' of the CJA and National Women's Organiser of the NDC, has been rewarded as the Central Regional Minister.

Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, a CJA capo has been honoured as the Eastern Regional Minister while Mahama Ayariga, CJA legal adviser is the Presidential Spokesperson.

Yet another beneficiary of the rewards for the CJA boys is the axed special aide to Jerry Rawlings, Victor Emmanuel Smith who has been appointed a Presidential Staffer for Protocol.

Indeed Victor Smith's loyalty and support for President Mills was so fierce that he got booted out of the employment of Jerry Rawlings.

A Daily Guide Report