A televised political debate turned sharply personal this week as New Patriotic Party (NPP) figure Tabitha Ayillah and National Democratic Congress (NDC) advocate Beatrice Annan locked horns over explosive corruption claims, with Ayillah dismissing her rival as a “baby politician” unfit for serious discourse.
The heated exchange, aired on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, centered on Annan’s allegation that a controversial memo implicating the former government in financial misconduct had been deliberately destroyed—a claim Ayillah demanded she prove live on air.
Annan, a presidential staffer under the current NDC administration, doubled down on accusations that key documents exposing financial irregularities under the previous government were shredded but left digital traces in email records. “The evidence exists,” she insisted, alleging a cover-up. Ayillah, a vocal defender of the prior NPP-led government, shot back with a challenge: “If you have this memo, produce it now. Share it with all Ghanaians. Empty claims won’t rebuild trust.”
The confrontation escalated as Annan refused to disclose the alleged document, citing procedural caution. “Even your Attorney General didn’t outright deny its existence—he merely claimed he hadn’t seen it,” Ayillah retorted, questioning Annan’s credibility. “You can’t wield serious allegations as political weapons without proof.”
Tensions then veered into personal territory. Ayillah, aiming to undermine Annan’s influence, derided her as politically inexperienced. “You’re still a baby politician,” she scoffed. “Just because you’ve arrived in Accra doesn’t make you seasoned. The NPP won’t take you seriously.” Annan, a relative newcomer to national politics but a longtime grassroots organizer, fired back: “Age in politics isn’t measured by years in Accra but by principles and resolve. I stand by my record.”
Political analysts describe the clash as emblematic of Ghana’s hyper-partisan climate, where debates often prioritize theatrics over policy. “This isn’t just about a memo—it’s about who controls the narrative on accountability,” said Accra-based commentator Kwame Osei. “Annan’s refusal to produce evidence weakens her claim, but Ayillah’s ad hominem attacks distract from substantive questions about past governance.”
The sparring also underscores broader frustrations with Ghana’s cycle of political blame-shifting. While the NDC seeks to frame itself as a corrective force after recent electoral gains, the NPP accuses it of weaponizing corruption allegations to sidestep mounting economic pressures. For voters, the spectacle risks deepening cynicism. “These debates feel like schoolyard fights,” remarked taxi driver Yaw Mensah. “We need solutions, not insults about who’s a ‘baby’ or a liar.”
As the dust settles, one unresolved question lingers: Will Annan’s alleged memo ever surface, or will it join Ghana’s long list of political mysteries? For now, the duel highlights a stark reality—in the battle for public trust, credibility is as fragile as the evidence it demands.