Mahama's Aide Criticizes Akufo-Addo's Spokesperson Over Inquiry into Inauguration Expenses

Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Aide to President John Dramani Mahama, has criticized Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, the former Government Spokesperson for Governance and Security under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, after he called for an inquiry into the costs associated with President Mahama’s inauguration. This public exchange highlights the ongoing political tension between supporters of the current government and those aligned with the previous administration.

Dr. Boakye-Danquah, during a panel discussion on Metro TV on January 10, 2025, raised concerns about the expenditure related to Mahama’s inauguration, questioning the transparency and accountability of the costs involved. His comments called for scrutiny of the financial details surrounding the event. In response, Joyce Bawah Mogtari took to social media, expressing her frustration with Dr. Boakye-Danquah’s sudden interest in the issue, especially given his silence on significant financial matters during the tenure of the previous administration.

Mogtari’s social media post sharply criticized Dr. Boakye-Danquah for what she described as his failure to speak out on key financial issues while serving in Akufo-Addo’s government. She pointed out that, while Dr. Boakye-Danquah was vocal about Mahama’s inauguration costs, he had been largely quiet during the Akufo-Addo administration as the country faced severe economic challenges. Mogtari wrote, “Apparently, @PalgraveDanquah, until recently the almost silent Akufo-Addo Spokesperson on governance, has been asking about the cost of President Mahama’s inauguration. I am still shaking my head.”

In her post, Mogtari clarified that inaugurations are funded by the government at the time, in this case, the previous administration, and that the planning for the event is handled by the Transition Team and executed by the State Protocol Department. She explained that these procedures are standard and have been followed for similar events in the past. By contrast, Mogtari criticized Dr. Boakye-Danquah for not raising questions about more pressing issues under the Akufo-Addo administration, which she claimed had contributed to the country’s economic difficulties.

Mogtari’s comments were pointed, suggesting that Dr. Boakye-Danquah had remained silent as his government faced public criticism for mismanagement and reckless borrowing. “He sat mute as his uncle’s government destroyed the economy, borrowed recklessly, and left us totally bankrupt. He never once asked any questions about PDS, Pwalugu, the astronomical cost of the non-existent National Cathedral, and many others,” Mogtari said. This remark was a clear jab at what she perceived as Dr. Boakye-Danquah’s failure to challenge the Akufo-Addo administration on several controversial projects and decisions.

Mogtari’s response reflects growing frustration within Mahama’s camp regarding the opposition’s continued criticisms, particularly in light of the current economic crisis in Ghana. The country has faced numerous financial challenges in recent years, with mounting debt, inflation, and rising unemployment rates, which critics argue are a result of poor governance and financial mismanagement. Supporters of the current administration are frustrated by what they view as selective criticism from political opponents, particularly those who remained silent during the Akufo-Addo administration’s more contentious periods.

Mogtari’s critique of Dr. Boakye-Danquah is part of a broader political discourse surrounding accountability and governance in Ghana. While her comments specifically target the former government spokesperson, they also point to larger issues of political accountability and transparency. Her response highlights the perceived double standard when it comes to scrutinizing government expenditures, especially when it comes to high-profile events like presidential inaugurations.

At the heart of this exchange is the broader issue of how public resources are managed and scrutinized. While Dr. Boakye-Danquah’s call for accountability over the inauguration costs may resonate with some who are concerned about government spending, Mogtari’s rebuttal underscores a growing sentiment that the scrutiny should be applied more evenly, particularly when it comes to the financial missteps of the previous administration.

The exchange between Joyce Bawah Mogtari and Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah sheds light on the ongoing political rivalry and the contentious debates over governance and financial accountability in Ghana. While Dr. Boakye-Danquah calls for greater transparency in the handling of the inauguration costs, Mogtari’s response highlights her frustration with what she sees as selective criticism and a failure to address larger financial issues from the past administration. This back-and-forth serves as a reminder of the deep political divides in the country, where every financial decision, whether large or small, becomes a point of contention.