Veteran journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has called on President John Mahama to carry out an immediate reshuffle of government appointees, accusing some officials of pursuing personal political ambitions at the expense of national priorities.
The former Managing News Editor of the Insight Newspaper said some appointees were more focused on becoming president than on their current responsibilities, describing their conduct as damaging to governance.
Speaking in an interview with Moro Awudu on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show on May 6, Mr Pratt said, “On the list of the agenda, they are focusing on their personal or individual ambitions. Some of which is horrible.”
He questioned the suitability of some officials who, in his view, appear to be positioning themselves for higher office.
“There’s no reason why some people should be seen as presidential materials. I’m sitting by and I say, this guy too wants to be president? How?” he said.
Mr Pratt argued that such ambitions were distracting the government and undermining its effectiveness.
“They are wasting the nation’s time. They are wasting the president’s opportunity, wasting everything on a reckless and useless ambition,” he said.
“He should have sacked them long ago. What is he waiting for? Sack them. Please sack them.”
He added that the officials in question were not contributing meaningfully to government work.
“They are not helping in any way. They are not helping the country. They are not helping the president. They are not even helping themselves,” he said.
“It’s time for a major reshuffle in government. The dead wood should be put aside.”
Mr Pratt also criticised what he described as growing self importance among some public officials, warning that leadership should not be self declared.
“Anybody who stands in front of the mirror in his bedroom and comes to the conclusion that he is the best gift of God to Ghana is a loony,” he said. “Leaders do not emerge through self proclamation.”
He further questioned the competence of some officials who, according to him, struggle with basic communication yet harbour presidential ambitions.
“People who struggle to string two sentences together are seeing themselves as presidents of the Republic of Ghana. What is this? It’s so shameful. It’s so embarrassing,” he said.
Mr Pratt urged President Mahama to take the matter seriously and act decisively.
“I would suggest very strongly to the president that you take this thing seriously and deal with it,” he said.
He also touched on broader political transitions, stressing that governance should remain within constitutional limits and institutional hierarchy, rather than personal ambition.
