Tony Aidoo descends on Okudzeto

By Emmanuel Akli
A leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Tony Aidoo, has descended on the Deputy Minister of Information, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, over his decision to address a news conference, where the letter written by the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and copied to the government over the judgement debt brouhaha, was made public instead of allowing his substantive Minister to do so.

According to Dr. Tony Aidoo, critics of Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa think he has never had any working experience, but was catapulted to a ministerial position, therefore, he ought not to have addressed the said press conference, to prey into the hands of his opponents.

Dr. Tony Aidoo, who is also the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Castle, noted that customs and traditions frown on such conduct and advised the young Deputy Minister not to repeat such behaviour in future.

Dr. Tony Aidoo, who was speaking on the Alhaji and Alhaji programme on Radio Gold, on Saturday, noted that he was happy Mr. Okudzeto-Ablakwa himself was on the programme before he made the comments about his conduct, in order not to create the impression that he was attacking him in his absence.

The former Deputy Minister of Defence in the Jerry Rawlings regime, noted that he listened carefully to comments passed by the Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, when another young Deputy Minister, Fifi Kwetey appeared on the floor of the legislative House last week, in connection with the supplementary budget statement.

To him, the Minority Leader appeared not happy that such a young man should be speaking to them.

Okudzeto-Ablakwa did not comment on Dr. Aidoo's reprimand and why he arrogated to him the role of a minister. He, however, told his listeners that he decided to make Nana Addo's letter, including the one written by Mr. Atta Akyea, in connection with the Gallopers vehicles saga public, after government ministers were accused of benefitting from the judgment debt, which had not been substantiated.

Mr. Okudzeto-Ablakwa, who has the penchant of commenting on every issue concerning the government, thereby relegating the substantive minister to the background, took his action to another height last week Monday when he decided to address the nation through a press conference to reveal the content of Nana Addo's letter, instead of allowing his minister, who is more matured than him to do so.

Surprisingly, the substantive minister, Mr. Fritz Baffour, shamelessly decided to introduce his Deputy, who could well be his son at the news conference, and also becoming the Mater of Ceremony (MC) for him.

Recently, Mr. Martin Amidu, former Attorney General also had cause to complain about the conduct of Mr. Okudzeto, who reportedly called him on phone, asking him to pay judgement debt to ISOFOTON.

To Amidu, even if there was the need for him to order the payment of the said debt at the time, it was certainly not Okudzeto who should be giving such orders.