998 Staffers: Don’t Defend the Unforgivable Sin of Dishonesty Journalists Against Abuse

It is recalled that the NPP while in opposition told Ghanaians that John Mahama was engaged in a most sinful profligacy because he had 678 staffers at the Flagstaff House.

To that end, Journalists Against Abuse a Policy Think-Tank has charged Journalists who are defending President Akuffo Addo 998 staffers at the Jubilee House to desist from such act because it is an unforgivable sin of dishonesty for the NPP to be justifying a list of 998 staffers (220 more) for Nana Akufo Addo at the Jubilee House.

President Nana Akufo-Addo on Friday, 20th April, 2018 presented to Parliament, a list of the total number of employees at the Presidency.

The release of the list is in compliance with Section 11 of the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463), which requires the President to submit annually to Parliament, a report on the staffing position of the Office of the President.

The breakdown was given as nine ministers of state, 27 presidential staffers, 256 other/junior appointees and 706 employees of public/civil service staff.

Akufo-Addo’s list is 28 more staffers than President John Mahama’s list of 678. The list includes ministers of state with their special assistants and personal assistants, stewards and a support staff.

Akufo-Addo’s list is 220 more staffers than President John Mahama’s list of 678.

The 998 Staffers at the Jubilee House under the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akoffo-Addo has been criticized by some Ghanaians particularly, the Minority.

Commenting on this, Journalists Against Abuse in a statement signed by the Project Director, Aboagye Frank Jackson and copied to thepressradiio.com said “We find it absurd and unfit listening and watching discussions on Radio and Tv with some Journalists or Broadcasters defending the number 998”.

“I hear some who say it's a monstrous list because the wage bill is already bleeding and such a huge addition will result in a knock - out. The truth is that our politicians are the same and they will never stop amazing Ghanaians. Why should Journalists continue to engross themselves so much about the number 998 saying it will put food to the table of the families of the Presidential Staffers” the statement added.

He bemoaned that” if we will talk about 998 with its associate merits and demerits whiles a chunk of Journalists suffer from bad salary syndromes”.

“Your backyard is bushy but you criticise openly a neighbour's similarity”.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW

I find it absurd and unfit listening and watching discussions on Radio and Tv with some Journalists or Broadcasters defending the number 998.

I hear some who say it's a monstrous list because the wage bill is already bleeding and such a huge addition will result in a knock - out.

The truth is that our politicians are the same and they will never stop amazing Ghanaians.

Why should Journalists continue to engross themselves so much about the number 998 saying it will put food to the table of the families of the Presidential Staffers.

No problem if we will talk about 998 with its associate merits and demerits whiles a chunk of Journalists suffer from bad salary syndromes.

Your backyard is bushy but you criticise openly a neighbour's similarity.

In fact, our political parties are just like SOME people managing broadcasting stations or press houses.

Brighter outside, poisonous inside.

Yet we only blame politicians forgetting our own sickness which needs a quick antidote.

Let's ponder a bit on the salaries of Journalists - less than 5% are paid better, the rest live on hand to mouth.

How can you pay a Journalist 200 ghc as salary and pride yourself as one of the best?

It's about time Journalists equated this inhumane stance of SOME media houses to wickedness with to attract the quick condemnation it deserves.

I foresee that Journalism will no more be enticing to the next generation because of poor remuneration.

Let's commence an unabated vocalization on this roaring traditional attitude on our employers to save future Journalism.

#JournalistsAgainstAbuse

ABOAGYE FRANK JACKSON

PROJECT DIRECTOR