Accra: The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has publicly raised concerns about the alleged internal power struggles within President John Dramani Mahama's administration. He questions why the President appears to be allowing these growing ambitions to take root, potentially creating divisions that could hinder the effectiveness of government operations.
According to Ghana Web, Pratt highlighted that some government appointees have already begun positioning themselves for future presidential bids, despite being only a year and a half into the party's current term. He believes this early jockeying for position is fostering factionalism within the government, which could negatively impact governance.
Pratt expressed his concerns during an appearance on Pan African TV, stating that the early presidential ambitions are leading to the formation of factions, which are quickly becoming entrenched. He described the situation as "sickening, dirty, nauseating," and questioned why President Mahama allows it to persist.
He further alleged that these rivalries among government officials are not only causing divisions but also affecting the functioning of state institutions and agencies. He claimed that some departments are not receiving necessary financing for projects due to the finance minister's own presidential ambitions, which creates a lack of support for those initiatives.
Pratt questioned the tolerance of such behaviors within the government, suggesting that they are counterproductive to the administration's success. He also pointed out the superficiality of the unity displayed by government officials, indicating that there is underlying mistrust and competition.
The veteran journalist criticized the competence of some individuals with presidential ambitions, questioning their capacity to lead the country. He suggested that President Mahama is struggling to manage the situation and is being undermined by these internal factions.
Pratt's comments come in the wake of a warning from the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Foyo Gbande, who cautioned party members against engaging in subtle campaigns to further their political ambitions.