Managing Editor of The Informer newspaper, Andy Kankam, has attributed growing tensions and public disagreements among government ministers to external polls conducted by independent pollsters on the ruling party’s flagbearer race.
He argued that the publication of such polls, including those by firms like Global Info Analytics, is creating confusion within government and influencing political positioning among ministers.
The independent polls, conducted by various pollsters on the flagbearer race, have produced distinct projections. Some surveys have projected Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson as the frontrunner, while others place National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, ahead. In some instances, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has also been projected as the leading contender.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, June 5, Kankam said the continuous projection of different ministers as frontrunners in the flagbearer race is undermining cohesion in government.
“You see why I said I don’t believe in these polls. They seem to be creating confusion among these ministers that you are in the lead every day,” he said.
According to him, the frequent ranking of ministers in various polls is influencing political positioning, with some officials allegedly using perceived performance indicators to strengthen their chances ahead of the party’s internal contest.
“The clash between the Finance Minister and the Agriculture Minister is a grand deception that is not good for governance,” he stated.
His remarks follow conflicting claims between the two ministries, with the Finance Ministry insisting it has released over GH¢1.6 billion to the Agriculture Ministry, representing about 85% of its budgetary allocation for goods, services and capital expenditure.
However, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has disputed the figures, arguing that they do not align with official budget execution records.
The Finance Ministry maintains that all transactions were processed through the GIFMIS platform and are supported by requisition dates, approvals and warrant documentation, while the Agriculture Ministry insists the records remain inconsistent.
The dispute has added to growing public scrutiny of coordination within government at a time when internal party dynamics continue to draw attention.
