The Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Foyo Gbande, has spoken on the controversy surrounding the appointment of a former aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Speaking on the issue which has since sparked backlash from certain NDC members against the government, Gbande stated that, if he had been given the mandate, he would have reassigned her to a different role rather than appointing her to the presidency.
He, however, indicated that he, like everyone else, respects the president’s decision and vision, adding that he offers his full support for the appointment.
He made this known after he was asked whether Rosemond Obeng should be removed from office to appease aggrieved members, during an interview on Channel One TV on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
“If I have the opportunity, I will reassign her to a different place. But again, I stand in solidarity with the visions of our leader,” he said.
Gbande, who also serves as the Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, recognised the concerns raised by party members in response to the appointment, noting that their right to express dissatisfaction is valid considering the role they played in the party’s electoral victories.
“My view is that we must balance the equation and believe in the president’s vision, support every decision the president takes but, party people also reserve the right to vent,” he said.
He added, “They are not being mocked. Every single NDC member is better off today than an MPP member. They may be hungry, food is not on the table yet, money is not in the pocket yet, but you would agree with me that what President Mahama have done and what he started is a novelty in this country.”
Rosemond Obeng was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama as a senior presidential staffer, a move that appears to have rattled some members of the ruling government and the public.
Popularly known as “People’s Mother”, she resigned from the NPP to join the NDC a few days before the December 2024 Election and has now been rewarded with an appointment.
