Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has slammed concerns over suspected nepotism in the Akufo Addo government. According to the Member of Parliament, the fact that the said family members of the president are educated is seemingly a justification.

Mr Agyapong made a comment comparing the families of the immediate former and current presidents. He said:

“it is not Akufo Addo’s fault that his family members are more educated than the family members of Mahama. They are qualified for the position they are holding”.

Discussions on corruption in Ghana have always raised up issues of cronyism and nepostism. Prior to the 2016 general elections, the New Patriotic Party mounted a campaign offensive against such perceived evils in Mahama’s administration.

When Mr. Agyapong was reminded of this, he responded by saying that it is possible his party might have gone too far. He felt that in the future, they could address such messages properly.

However, he felt that the more important thing was whether the said individuals were qualified for the jobs. In his estimation, they are. The nepotism and cronyism in Mahama’s administration were problematic because the appointed were not qualified.

Mr Agyapong’s comments are characteristic of the controversial MP. In the past, he is been accused and charged with treason for very strong statements. He has even incurred the wrath of some in his own party.

But the accusations against the Akufo Addo government will not go away anytime soon. This is down to the serious air of pessimism about politicians in Ghana.

President Akufo-Addo’s cousins in government include Nana Asante Bediatuo, the Executive Secretary to the presidency as well as Works and Housing Minster Samuel Atta Akyea and Transport Minister Kwesi Amoako Atta. The president’s daughter, Gyankroma Akufo Addo serves on the Creative Arts Council Board.

These individuals have official capacities in the government. But there are rumours that many more family members are in government, with some in very amorphous roles.