Photo: focus ghana
PANA
Accra, Ghana – Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has sacked Deputy Communications Minister Victoria Hammah, according to an official statement released in the nation’s capital, Accra, on Friday.
A terse statement signed by Information Minister Mahama Ayariga said: “His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama has relieved Ms. Victoria Hammah, Deputy Minister Communications, of her post as Deputy Minister.”
No government official has made any comment on the reasons for the president’s action.
However, radio stations have on Friday been playing a leaked tape on which a voice purported to be that of the dismissed deputy minister is heard lashing out at a fellow deputy minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Rachel Appoh, over a disagreement with the minister, Nana Oye Lithur, whose husband, Tony Lithur, successfully defended President Mahama during the suit filed by the main opposition New Patriotic Party challenging his election in December 2012.
The voice was also heard saying she would not leave politics until she had made one million US dollars.
“I told Rachel that I really understand politics…I will not quit politics until I make one million dollars. If you have money then you can control people,” according to the voice on the tape.
Ms Hammah is not new to controversy as a couple of gaffs in the media have attracted public ridicule. In one instance, while reading a speech at a function, she angrily said that was not the speech she had edited and wondered where the one she edited was.
In another instance, she was heard complaining that there was too much pressure on politicians from the electorate who want them to satisfy all their needs.
Meanwhile, the police say the driver of Ms Hammah has been arrested following her complaint that he secretly recorded her conversation. Police say they are investigating.
President Mahama, who has been under fire from the public for apparently not being decisive in the fight against corruption, has said his will to fight the crime has not waned.
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