When President John Dramani Mahama arrived at the Jubilee Park in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital to hold a Thank You rally, almost every bigwig of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and appointee of the government from the region were present.
But two important personalities of the NDC, who equally hail from the region, were conspicuously absent.
While the absence of the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga did not raise eyebrows, that of the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central Isaac Adongo did, majorly because the event was held in his constituency.
Some attributed Adongo’s non-attendance to a fallout with the President Mahama as result of the President’s failure to appoint him to a ministerial position.
Isaac Adongo had been highly tipped to be made a minister ahead of his party’s election.
He and his campaign team trumpeted his chances of being made a minister as one reason he should be retained.
However, he has been made just a member of the governing board of the Bank of Ghana, sparking outrage among some of his supporters.
Therefore, when he did not show up for the event despite the fact that it was held at his constituency, many speculated his absence was in protest against the President’s failure to make him a minister.
But Abdallah Johnathan Salifu, the Regional Communication Officer of the NDC dispelled such speculations.
Isaac Adongo as Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament has been occupied with parliamentary duties, leading the government budget consideration together with the Majority Leader and pushing to have it passed in time reason he couldn’t not make time to be present at the event, Abdallah Johnathan explained.
“This is actually his busy time,” he stated.
“As you are aware, the budget has not been approved yet. Debate is still ongoing.
They are meeting various ministries, departments to further justify their expenditures or budgetary allocations or what they requested for and this is always basically being led by the Chairman of the Finance Committee.”
“So, I mean, the timing, of course was not good for him and the President is aware. I mean, people within the party, especially at the top were aware that because of his busy schedule within the weeks, that’s why he couldn’t make it.”
He dismissed assertion that the Bolgatanga Central lawmaker is discontented with his appointment as Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament and member of the governing board of the Bank of Ghana, arguing that the positions are high-ranking one and not peripheral as perceive by many.
