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22.12.2004 General News

NPP Big Wigs Want Osafo Maafo & Mpianim Out?

22.12.2004 LISTEN
By Stan Dogbe (Joy Online)

Accra, Dec. 2, Joy Online -- Influential lobbyists in the ruling new patriotic party are working hard at removing finance minister Yaw Osafo Maafo and Chief of Staff Kwadwo Mpianim from their respective positions.

The two in addition to Parliamentary Speaker Peter Ala Adjetey top the list of high flyers who some influential advisers to the presidency want out of their current positions. Reasons proffered according to JoyNews enquiries are varied.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor is reported to be lobbying hard to leave the barracks to a friendlier environment.

There has been intense lobbying for positions in the next Kufuor administration according to insiders even before the elections, with some going to great lengths to undo their colleagues. The lobbying gathered momentum soon after the elections when it became clearer that some ministers and deputy ministers would be axed from the next Kufuor cabinet.

So far, the public's eyes have been on a few ministers including Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Nana Akomea, Elizabeth Ohene, Andrews Awuni, Joe Aggrey who many sporting fans have described as a non-performing asset as well as Senior Minister J. H. Mensah whose title and office seems amorphous.

These are some of the ministers the public wants out. But for the lobbyists, Yaw Osafo Maafo, though regarded as a highly successful minister, is a major stumbling block to the execution of ministers and party leaders' pet projects. He, and for some strange reasons Kwadwo Mpianim are they two most wanted persons out.

JoyNews enquiries revealed that beyond his growing presidential ambitions, Yaw Osafo Maafo has incurred the displeasure of party big wigs for his unwillingness sometimes and at critical times to approve questionable spending and transactions.

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