The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has accused his colleague MP, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah of peddling falsehood with the assertion that government has rather undertaken a “programmed reduction” on the number of presidential staffers from 1697 to 1614.
According to the North Tongu MP, “Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is either confused or deliberately throwing dust into the eyes of the public” adding that he believes the information minister has not been properly briefed hence the misinformation.
Speaking on Kasapa Fm’s Anopa Kasapa, Mr. Ablakwa explained that, on the basis of 2019 budget presented to parliament, government intends to recruit an additional 616 presidential staffers at the Office of Government Machinery despite the public outcry over the size of the NPP government.
“Let us take the people of this country serious, you see what Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is doing is that, he has taken the 2018 allocation, and I think that is even more offensive. In 2017, Ghanaians complained on the 998 that you reported to parliament. You were still insensitive by increasing it again” he said.
Meanwhile, Oppong Nkrumah has maintained that government rather intends cutting down the number, contrary to the claim by the minority.
According to him, in 2018 established posts for OGM was 1697 and that in 2019 it has rather been reduced to 1614”.
He continued: “The basic rule of evidence is that he who alleges has an onus to prove. If we do not push people to first prove their claims and instead give them mileage to keep repeating their false claims, only to ask persons against who false claims are made, to rather come forward and prove their innocence, the media will soon be taken for a ride by people who feel all they have to do is make a claim because you will give them space.”
His comment follows reports last week in parliament by the Minority that government was planning to increase the number of staff at the Office of the President from 998- 1614.
Last Wednesday, the legislator for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said on the Floor that he is deeply worried about government’s refusal to listen to Ghanaians regarding the number of government appointees.
“When the list of presidential staffers of 998 was presented to this House, there was national outrage,” he said stressing government has nothing about it to save the national purse.
By: Alex Semordzi
