Mahama Snubs ‘Bolga Adam Smith?’ … His Name Still Missing From List Of Ministers

At the last count yesterday, President Mahama has appointed about 55 substantive ministers and deputies, out of the 60 threshold, but Isaac Adongo, Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, is yet to make the cut.

He was very vocal in the last eight years, particularly on the economy, consistently taking the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government to the cleaners for what he described as poor management of the economy.

Isaac Adongo positioned himself well within the circle of Economists, who vehemently criticised the management of the economy under Akufo-Addo and mostly took on then Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who was heading the Economic Management Team.

Isaac Adongo named Dr. Bawumia as ‘Walewale Adams Smith’, depicting that the then Vice President’s economic prowess probably could save the economy of his hometown, Walewale, and not the entire nation.

Adam Smith, a Scottish Economist who pioneered political economy, is best known as the father of modern Economics. But Isaac Adongo ironically used that name for Dr Bawumia, obviously to mock him, when the economy collapsed under the Akufo-Addo administration.

In a sharp contrast, Isaac Adongo also gained the name ‘Bolga Adams Smith’ from political opponents, who believed his economic theories were below par.

PARLIAMENT

In the 7th and 8th Parliaments, the Bolgatanga MP, Isaac Adongoand Dr. Ato Forson were the key voices on issues of finance and economy, with the latter mostly acting as the Spokesperson on the economy.

It would be recalled that in November 2022, Isaac Adongo, on his usual economic attacks on Dr. Bawumia, likened the then Vice President to Harry Maguire, an English football player, who was at the time in his low moments as a defender for his club, Manchester United, as he had been scoring own goals, instead of preventing the same.

According to him, Dr. Bawumia, who was hailed by his party as an ‘Economic Wizard, upon assuming office, rather destroyed the fundamentals’ and behaved like Harry Maguire at the time.

“This ‘Economic Maguire’ went to Malata market and we were clapping, saying this man is the best in managing foreign currency. The same ‘Economic Maguire’ was roaming at Central University delivering lectures on how to restore the value of the cedi,” he said.

Isaac Adongo indicated that the next NDC government would scrap the E-Levy. He also took on the Bank of Ghana governor, the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta several times, and nothing under the Akufo-Addo government about the economic management seemed right in his estimation.

SHOCK

Considering his consistent criticism of the previous government and proving himself competent enough to right the wrongs of the Akufo-Addo administration, it has rather come as a surprise to many, including his constituents, that Mahama did not consider appointing him as a minister.

A cursory look at the list of ministers appointed by President Mahama shows a trend of persons who took on the previous government in specific sectors being chosen to lead that office.

The MP for South Dayi, Kwame Governs Agbodza, who is now the Minister for Roads and Highways, was loud on the road sector for the minority at the time.

The MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was always on the neck of the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and that ministry was delivered to him.

The Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George, did not let Ursula Owusu-Ekuful have rest. Today, Sam George has replaced her as the Minister for Communications.

The list goes on, including Eric Opoku, who spoke for the then minority on Agriculture.

However, it comes as a surprise that ‘Bolga Adams Smith’ is yet to hear his name from Jubilee House.

Though not officially stated, many have argued that regardless of his active stance on Dr. Bawumia and the Akufo-Addo government, Dr. Ato Forson appeared more competent, thus his appointment as the Minister for Finance.

OTHER NAMES

Isaac Adongo adds to the names of people some Ghanaians were expecting in the Mahama government, but are almost missing, given that only five slots are left, if Mr. President intends to do fidelity with his political promise.

The MP for Korley Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings; Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, MP for Essikado-Ketan and former MP for Odododiodio, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, are some of the names surprisingly missing in the list of ministers.

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