Alliance for Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA), a voluntary group within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to as a matter of urgency, sack all ministers who are pursuing presidential ambitions.
It also called on the President to reshuffle his government to pave way for “competent and selfless” hands to give it new expertise and direction.”
Addressing a news conference in Accra, Mr Kamaldeen Ibrahim, Spokesperson for the Group, said the decision by some ministers to pursue presidential ambitions had taken their focus from their ministerial duties, rendering their sectors and for that matter, the government ineffective.
He noted that the NPP had many knowledgeable and competent people, arguing that, dismissing such ministers, as well as reshuffling ministerial appointees, would give the Government a new lease of life.
“Governance, just like the game of soccer makes room for substitution because of the probability of fatigue, injury, etc. As the head coach of a team, and in this case, head of the central government, we except the President to do some changes and bring onboard new, dynamic, competent, selfless and result-oriented personalities with the NPP fraternity to help the Government and give hope to the party people,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim commended the President for revoking the appointment of Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
The Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya was dismissed by President Akufo-Addo for absenting herself from post for several weeks.
M Ibrahim also called on Parliament to declare the Dome Kwabenya seat currently occupied by Ms Safo vacant.
He cautioned the Government to be mindful of how it treated members of the Party at the grassroots, as that would have a telling effect on the Party going into the 2024 elections.
“The Government must demonstrate enough care and commitment to the needs of the people. A new sense of hope must be shown and given to the disgruntled Foot soldiers,” he emphasised.
He explained that the Party must move from mere sloganeering of “breaking the 8” to demonstrating enough commitment to the needs of the members of the party.
“A new sense of hope must be shown and given to the disgruntled foot soldiers,” he added.
He congratulated the newly elected national executives of the Party and urged them to map up strategies to bridge the widening gap between the party and government.
Mr Obama Pokuase, Executive Secretary, AFFA, said the call on the President to make a reshuffle was not to antagonize the Government but to give the Party an opportunity to retain power in 2024.
“We are of the firm belief that if our call is given the necessary consideration, it will go a long way to help the party,” he said.
