There was an exchange between the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., and a former Chief Executive Officer of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, over the dismissal of public workers by President John Dramani Mahama.
This discussion took place on the February 23, 2025, episode of Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme.
During the panel discussion on the topic, Kwesi Pratt condemned the dismissal of public workers by the president but, however, blamed the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for engaging in similar actions during their administration.
According to Kwesi Pratt, the NPP members including Nana Akomea should tone down their criticism since they also dismissed public workers employed by the previous government in its last days in office.
Akomea, who had already made his submission on the matter, challenged Kwesi Pratt for misrepresenting his views.
He argued that his stance aligned with Kwesi Pratt’s own, stating that regardless of the party in power, such acts should be condemned, even if they involved his party.
Akomea then demanded an apology from Kwesi Pratt for misrepresenting his views on the show. However, Kwesi Pratt refused, asserting that if they were both in agreement, there was no need for him to apologize.
Read the excerpts from their exchange below:
Kwesi Pratt: Why are we speaking as if this is the first time we are witnessing such incidents? Have we forgotten what J.H. Mensah said about dismissals, that those employed by the NDC would be sacked?
But the point is, if it happened under an NPP government, it does not mean it should also happen under an NDC government. Let us take a principled position on that.
Akomea: But that is exactly what we are saying.
Kwesi: No.
Akomea: That is what I am saying.
Kwesi: No, I didn’t hear you say that.
Akomea: Maybe you were not listening.
Kwesi: Your party (NPP) also did the same.
Akomea: Kwesi, then you didn’t listen to me.
Kwesi: Then if that is what you are saying, then no problem.
Akomea: Nana Yaw, is that what I said?
Kwesi: So, if we are on the same page, why are you angry?
Akomea: You didn’t listen to what I was saying, and you misquoted me.
Kwesi: You were challenging me to produce evidence.
Akomea: …But you haven’t been able to produce anything… and you also didn’t listen to what I was saying. You were just looking at your phone for information.
Kwesi: But if we are saying the same thing, then that is fine.
Akomea: You didn’t listen to me. So, apologize, and let’s move forward.
Kwesi: You people love apologies. Anything small, and you start asking for apologies. Apology for what?
Akomea: Apology for misquoting me.
Kwesi: I said the NPP did the same, and now the NDC is also doing it. If something is bad, it is bad. And now you are asking me to apologize? Apologize for what?
AM/KA
You can also watch Godfred Dame’s full speech on legal case withdrawals below: