General News of Sunday, 19 January 2025

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Video of Asiedu Nketia talking about appointment of 'friends and family' by Akufo-Addo pops up amid son's new role

Johnson Asiedu Nketiah is the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Johnson Asiedu Nketiah is the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress

The appointment of Dr. Kwaku Asiedu Nketia, son of Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, has sparked discussions about the possibility of a family and friends practice within President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.

An old video of the NDC’s National Chairman has resurfaced on social media following his son’s appointment.

In the video, Asiedu Nketia accused the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of appointing friends and family members to serve his interests over the nation's.

He further suggested that the nepotistic governance run by the immediate past government could be akin to corruption.

Giving an in-depth explanation of what corruption entails, Asiedu Nketia said, “Corruption is when you are given power to serve the nation but you end up using the power to serve yourself and your family. That is the definition of corruption everywhere.”

He continued, “For instance, you have been given the authority to appoint people to oversee and steer the affairs of the country but you end up using the authority to appoint your siblings and family members, we call it nepotism which is one of the highest forms of corruption.”

The distinguished politician argued that the qualifications and expertise of such individuals are overshadowed by their family connections to the president or appointing authority.

He added that the conflict of interest inherent in a nepotistic governance will always be exposed.

“When we talk about family and friends, it often refers to corruption. It means the power of appointment given to someone to appoint people to serve the country, they use it to appoint people to serve their personal and family interests. That is what the issues are about so when they come out to ask ‘Are the appointed persons not qualified?’, those are not the issues at all. Nepotism is at play,” he stressed.

Background

Dr. Kwaku Asiedu Nketia has been appointed by President John Dramani Mahama as the Acting Deputy CEO of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).

His appointment was announced in a release by the presidency on January 18, 2025, alongside the appointments of other individuals who have been named acting CEOs and Managing Directors of various institutions.

The MIIF, a government agency created to maximize the value derived from Ghana's mineral wealth, plays a crucial role in ensuring the country’s natural resources contribute to sustainable economic benefits for all citizens.

As Acting Deputy CEO, Dr. Asiedu Nketia will support the drive to manage mineral royalties and investments efficiently, helping to ensure that Ghana’s mineral resources generate long-term value for the nation.



MAG/EK

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