Akufo-Addo Recruits More Family & Friends Into His Bloated Govt

KEN AGYAPONG, BARIMAH, MAC MANU SPOUSES JOIN AKUFO ADDO’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS GOVERNMENT

More family members of President Akufo Addo and leading figures within the New Patriotic Party continue to derive lucrative benefits from his government either through direct appointments or huge contracts.

As part of a series of well-researched publications aimed at unearthing the shocking levels of nepotism practiced by Akufo Addo despite a firm promise not to do so during the 2016 campaign, the Ghana Palaver has uncovered yet more evidence of the canker.

Our ultra-sensitive lenses have this time around picked up information regarding the presence of the spouses of leading NPP figures who are either appointees of this government or are leveraging the high placement of their husbands to secure juicy contracts at the expense of fairness and competition.

The latest to join the fray are the wives NPP heavyweights, Kennedy Agyapong, Yaw Barimah and Peter Mac Manu.

Leading the pack is Jane Cynthia Lamptey who was this week sworn in as Deputy Special Prosecutor. Madam Lamptey is married to NPP strongman, Yaw Barimah, who served as Eastern Regional Minister and Minister of Works and Housing respectively in the Kufour Administration.

Wife of Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, Stella Agyapong, has reaped massive dividends from her marriage to the maverick MP. She has been awarded a mouthwatering GHS 100 million contract to supply bulbs for street lights in the country. The controversial contract, awarded initially on sole-sourced basis and later changed to restrictive tendering, attracted a major public uproar with many questioning how Stella Agyapong secured such a contract given her limited experience and capacity.

Mr. Agyapong appears to have more hands in the pie than previously thought. Last Tuesday, he confirmed a publication by the Ghana Palaver, that Stacy Ofei Darko, with whom he has a child had been appointed as Deputy CEO of NEIP.Ms Ofei Darko regrettably passed away a few days after the publication.

Adding to the free for all scramble for public resources by family and friends of Akufo Addo and NPP bigwigs, is the wife of NPP stalwart Peter Mac Manu, who double as the Board Chairman of the Ghana Ports Authority(GPHA).

Mrs. Mac Manu, has been awarded a major ticket supply contract which puts her company directly in charge of the issuance of travel tickets for officials of GPHA.

Last week, aggrieved members of four unions of GPHA accused Mr. Mac Manu of monopolizing supplies to the shipping hub together with his family. He confirmed the accusations of the unions but denied any wrongdoing insisting that his wife got the contract on merit.

President Akufo Addo has come under fire following various publications by the Ghana Palaver, for operating the most nepotistic government in the history of Ghana.

Over fifty relatives, friends and business associates have been identified as part of what is popularly referred to as a “family and friends” government.

Stella Agyapong, wife of Ken Agyapong – Got GHS 100 Million contract from Energy Ministry

Cynthia Lamptey – Deputy Special Prosecutor and wife of NPP’s Yaw Barimah