News:
November 8, 2013
New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Kpandai constituency, Mathew Nyindam has expressed his opposition over the outright dismissal of Deputy Communications Minister, Victoria Hammah over a leaked tape that purports to contain her voice.
According to the MP, the harsh and immediate sacking of the minister by President John Mahama less than 24 hours of the surfacing of the tape raises more questions than answers since the statement signed by Information Minister Mahama Ayariga announcing the dismissal gave no reasons.
The sacked Hon. Victoria Hammah on the leaked tape is heard telling a female discusser that she will not quit politics until she makes at least US$1 Million.
The over 30minutes recording of the two ladies – who appeared to be travelling while having the gossipy conversation – contains inside information about the workings of government, the role Nana Oye Lithur, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection played in securing a favourable verdict for the ruling party in the election petition suit, how influential Lawyer Tony Lithur and Victoria Hammah are in the corridors of power, etc.
They are also heard on the leaked secret audio tape harshly condemning the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Rachel Appoh, describing her as a “senseless, ugly, loud and egoistic” woman for instigating bad press against her boss, Nana Oye Lithur.
However speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show on Friday, Hon. Mathew Nyindam stated that rather than an outright dismissal, the former deputy minister should have been given the opportunity of defending herself over the issue.
“Now that she’s been sacked without her response, are we to believe that the content of the tape is true, in as much as the President has the prerogative of hiring and firing ministers, this action by the President leaves Ghanaians with more questions than answers’’ he said.
Hon. Nyindam on the other hand noted that even if the Hon. Victoria Hammah was allowed to stay in office, the comments she is said to have made against her colleague deputy minister Rachel Appoh would have strained their relationship which would not have augured well for party unity and governance.
Kwadwo Anim/GhanaMPs.gov.gh