Ghanaian minister Victoria Hammah fired for saying she plans to make $1million from politics A Ghanaian female deputy minister has been dismissed by the countrys President John Dramani Mahama after she allegedly said she will not quit politics until she makes at least one million dollars. Good name they say is better than riches, but in the mind of Deputy Communications Minister, Victoria Hammah, her main aim in politics is to make $1 million since she believes “if you have money, you can control people”. A million dollars might be easy to say with the lips, but when melted into Nigerian currency, it amounts to about 158 Million naira Well, the above quote in first paragraph, are portions of a leaked tape on which a voice purported to be that of the Deputy Communications Minister is heard interacting with telling a female companion.The tape was first played on Ghanian radio station, Neat FM. The over 30minutes recording of the two ladies – who appeared to be travelling while having the gossipy conversation – contains inside information about the workings of government, the role Nana Oye Lithur, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection played in securing a favourable verdict for the ruling party in the election petition suit, how influential Lawyer Tony Lithur and Victoria Hammah are in the corridors of power, etc. They are also heard on the leaked secret audio tape harshly condemning the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Rachel Appoh, describing her as a “senseless, ugly, loud and egoistic” woman for instigating bad press against her boss, Nana Oye Lithur. On the leaked tape, Victoria Hammah is clearly heard boasting that with that amount money in her account, it is easier for her to control people. The deputy minister of communication further explains that her understanding of politics is to make money. She vows that until she attains that dream, she would never drop out from politics. “…I understand politics very well, if I haven’t made a million dollars I wouldn’t go and attack people. If you have money, then you can control people”, she said. The Deputy Communications Minister also described how influential she is within government. “My appointment was solid way back. So, what does it tell you? That even in terms of influence, I’ve more influence than you and Rachel. Even you who won your seats, they have crammed you, two, in the Gender (meaning Sena Okity-Duah. And you won’t seek wisdom. The moment you lose your Ministerial job, you lose your might and influence. Then you become unpopular in your constituency. When somebody contests against you, you see that your place is in trouble. Then you’ll be done, you’re finished. I sat her (Rachel) in front of Omane (Boamah, Minister of Communications) defending Rachel for one hour. She had a problem and then, everybody had opinion about her. I made her look good in front Omane and the other Ministers. Then, in front of the first lady (Lordina), you want to diss me. Let her sit there. She thinks politics is a joke,” she said. The purported voice of Victoria Hammah also touched on how well connected the Lithurs are in government.On the tape, which has not been independently verified, she says: I will not quit politics until I make one million dollars. She also criticising another deputy minister, calling her senseless, ugly, loud and egoistic. Information Minister Mahama Ayariga did not give any reason for Ms Hammahs dismissal in her one-sentence announcement. But it comes 24 hours after the tape went viral on social media and was played on a local radio station. Her driver has been arrested on suspicion of making the recording of her conversation.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 22:17:27 +0000