The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Michael Okyere Baafi in an audio has disclosed that, heading the Ghana Free Zones Authority was by his own choosing not by Presidential appointment.

According to him, President Nana Akufo-Addo merely granted his decision through an appointment letter as part of formalities.

The revelation by Mr. Baafi goes contrary to what the laws of the land say about the President and how he appoints people into public offices. Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana says, “The President shall acting in consultation with the Council of State, appoint:-

(a) the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and his Deputies;

(b) the Auditor-General;

(c) the District Assemblies Common Fund Administrator;

(d) the Chairmen and other members of –

(i) the Public Services Commission;

(ii) the Lands Commission;

(iii) the governing bodies of public corporations;

(iv) a National Council for Higher Education howsoever described; and

(e) the holders of such other offices as may be prescribed by this Constitution or by any other law not inconsistent with this Constitution.

However, the revelation seems to suggest that the President is not in control and does not directly appoint people to head the various bodies as the constitution mandates him to, rather, his cohorts choose where and what they want to be and the President for formality purposes, writes an official letter to appoint the person into the desired position as is in the case of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority.

Mr. Baafi, who was speaking at a meeting with Assembly members at the MCE’s residence in Koforidua, New Juaben South constituency could be heard proudly boasting of how he came by his position, to secure confidence from delegates in his bid to contest the incumbent MP, Hon. Mark Assibey-Yeboah.

XYZ