Spio: Ironic That Mills Celebrated Nkrumah’s Centenary, But Dismissed Sekou

Days after Ghana’s First President’s son was relieved off his duties as the Coordinator of the National Youth Council, the swiftness of his dismissal is still the subject of discussion. A leading member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, believes the dismissal is “unfortunate, and this move is bound to send wrong signals.” Seen as one of the earliest vociferous critics of President Mills’ leadership style, Dr. Garbrah opined that Sekou’s dismissal could “deepen the perception that the Mills administration is intolerant of views from within”. Dr. Spio Gabrah, who said he was speaking in his capacity as an ordinary citizen and not as a National Vice Chair of the party, called for more a urgent approach in tackling the nation’s problem. He described as ironic that President Mills ordered the celebration of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Centenary Anniversary in September last year, and yet dismissed his son, less than a year after the celebrations began. But a presidential staffer, Mr. Nii Lartey Vanderpuije, sharply disagrees. “…the fact that the president believes in Nkrumah’s ideals does not permit his son to say anything and expects to go free,” he said. According to him, the president was not responsible for the dismissal of Sekou, but as an acting coordinator, Sekou was evaluated by the board who found him incompetent to be maintained in that position. “…there was a recommendation by the board to the president a month ago for him to be replaced and Sekou was aware of these (developments) two weeks ago,” He described Sekou’s reaction as an outburst of frustration, since he (Sekou) knew that his “position was going to be terminated”.

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana