I goofed but won’t resign – Mahama Ayariga
Information and Media Relations Minister, Mahama Ayariga has told Citi News he has not considered resigning after committing another major blunder few months after his appointment.
A few weeks ago, Mahama Ayariga apologized for denying that President John Mahama had any relationship with renowned gay rights activist; Andrew Solomon.
Now after confirming that the official name of the Flag Staff House has been changed to the Jubilee Flagstaff House, the Minister has again backtracked.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, Mr. Ayariga apologized for the blunder but stated that he has not contemplated resigning.
“I think that this matter hasn’t reached the question of even thinking not to talk about contemplating resigning. I am just giving you the structure of government communication. It is a work in progress and we hope that it will provide a better framework for you the media to engage with government.”
He further stated that the issue is not a matter that is “so scandalous or so serious as to warrant the resignation of a Minister of State. My job is to make sure that the right information is out there. If there is a mistake in putting the information out there, it is my job to also come out and say well, there was a mistake in putting out that information, it is this information that is rather the accurate information.”
There are however unconfirmed reports that there is a grand scheme to do Mahama Ayariga in.
When asked if he felt the same way, he said: “I want to lead in such a way that I take responsibility for everybody who works with me, under me, for me and so I don’t want to pass the buck onto any other person. I will assume responsibility for it.”
In a related development, the General Secretary for the National Democratic n (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has downplayed suggestions that the party is undermining the work of the Information Minister and the party has also not discussed the possibility of a name change for the seat of government.
“I can assure you that this matter has never been debated in any cabinet meeting and I know that one way of changing this name is to send communication to Parliament to the effect that the President has directed that this matter should be done in this way.”
According to him, he has been in touch with “the leader of Parliament who has confirmed that there is no such communication or so to Parliament and I state in all national executive meetings of the party and….”I can also speak from the party’s point of view that this matter has never been discussed anywhere.”
Source: Citi News