As President John Dramani Mahama prepares for a major reshuffle of CEOs of state institutions, a parallel list is gaining traction online. Not from the Office of the President, but from party foot-soldiers on social media.
On Facebook and WhatsApp platforms groups of NDC, grassroots activists are circulating what they call the “Stingy CEOs List” – a compilation of heads of SOEs and public agencies they claim have abandoned the base since their appointment.
Even though their criteria has little to do with audited accounts or KPIs, Analysts say their stance are very much respected by the corridors of power.
According to dozens of posts monitored by the Exposé Newspaper and senaradioonline.com following Dr. Callistus’ release, a CEO lands on the list if he or she:
1. Does not pick calls from constituency executives and foot-soldiers
2. Has never supported funerals, weddings or branch activities
3. Sacked perceived party people and replaced them with “outsiders”
4. Is tight-fisted when foot-soldiers visit the office for “transport”
One viral post on Facebook read: “Some CEOs think the job is their personal property. They were struggling like us in opposition but now they don’t even give us water when we visit. They must go.”
Another on WhatsApp platform listed about 8 institutions by category – without naming individuals – claiming their CEOs “have built walls around themselves” and “will make us lose 2028 if they stay.”
The list is already causing tension. While some party communicators like Elikem Kotoko argue it reflects genuine frustration of the base who toiled for victory, others warn it risks turning a technocratic performance review into a popularity contest.
CEOs who have featured prominently in all platforms are Madam Justina Nelson who is CEO.of Minerals and Income Fund (MIIF), Director General of NCA, Rev Edmund Fianko.
The rest are CEO of Ghana Free Zones Authority Dr. Mary Awusi and CEO of VRA Edward Obeng Kenzo, Director General of Lotteries , Mohammed Abdul-Salam, among others.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has said the impending changes form part of a broader reorganisation to strengthen management, improve coordination and enhance performance across the public sector. President Mahama has previously emphasized competence, accountability and commitment as the benchmark for his appointees.
But for the foot-soldiers, competence includes taking care of the base.
“Performance is not only grammar and big English on TV. If your people are hungry and you are stingy, you are failing the party,” a popular grassroots page, Foot Soldiers , said.
Political analysts say President Mahama will have to balance both. Retaining only loyal but underperforming CEOs will hurt the SOE debt crisis, but ignoring the base completely could demoralize the structures ahead of the 2028 elections.
For now, the “Stingy List” is unofficial, unverified, and constantly being edited in the comment sections. But in Ghanaian politics, what starts on social media as a joke often ends up on the desk of decision-makers.
Stay tuned for the list of “good and retained” CEOs in our next publication.
