Mahama Must Sack 'Reckless' Nunoo-Mensah—NPP Demands

The New Patriotic Party has called for the immediate dismissal of the National Security advisor on comments the party deems were distasteful and reckless.

Brigadier General Nunoo-Mensah described public sector workers as a strike-happy bunch during the inauguration of a nine-unit classroom block at the O'Reilly Senior High School.

Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah wondered why public sector workers are not sacrificing for the interest of the country but always threatening strikes.

His comments have been met with some serious condemnation by the Civil and local Government Staff Association of Ghana, (CLOGSAG) who are currently on strike.

A statement signed by acting director of communications by the NPP, Perry Okudzeto stated that the comment by the National Security Advisor was “highly inappropriate, distasteful, and disrespectful to the platform on which he made them”.

He added “we call on the National Security Advisor to resign his position or be shown the exit by the President to show that he, the President does not endorse this kind of irresponsible conduct in his government”.

Below is the full statement by the NPP

The New Patriotic Party wishes to express its shock and disappointment at the recent reckless outburst of the National Security Advisor, General Nunoo-Mensah (rtd), during the inauguration of a nine-unit classroom block at the O'Reilly Senior High School where he directed members of labour unions who were dissatisfied with their conditions of service, to pack their bags and leave the country.

The NPP finds the message of the National Security Advisor highly inappropriate, distasteful, and disrespectful to the platform on which he made the statement, considering the fact that the statements were made in the presence of the President amidst laughter. Unfortunately when the President got the opportunity he did not condemn the comments.

The NPP also considers as most unfortunate, that in an era where the nation constantly wakes up to news of crass managerial incompetence, in an era where the government drags its feet in recovering dubious judgment debt payments, and in an era where scarce national resources are invested in guinea fowls and ornamental plants, the National Security Advisor of the President will choose to vent his anger and frustration at innocent and hardworking Ghanaians who only seek to demand what is due them, by using legitimate means.

By his careless outburst at organized labour which will only create a platform for further tension and animosity between government and unionized labour, Gen. Nunoo Mensah has exhibited to all, his incompetence in advising both Presidents Mills and Mahama on national security matters.

Indeed if his recent call to members on the labour front to pick their passports and get out of the country, is reflective of the kinds of advice he has been giving the President on national security matters, then it is no wonder that the national labour landscape is what it is today.

Finally in terms of National Security, if we have 3200 Doctors and over 200,000 teachers alone, deciding to lay down their tools, what will be the implication for national security as he suggests these bodies do?

Accordingly we call on the National Security Advisor to resign his position or be shown the exit by the President to show that he, the President does not endorse this kind of irresponsible conduct in his government.

Signed
Perry Okudzeto
AG Director Communications