The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called for the resignation of National Security Advisor, Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo Mensah (retired), for his "reckless" comment made about striking workers in the country.

According to the NPP, Brig. Gen. Mensah's "careless outburst at organized labour" has the potential to create a platform for further tension and animosity between government and unionized labour.

Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah over the weekend rebuked organised labour for their incessant strike threats saying they should “get out of the country" if they cannot bear the current economic hardship.

But a release issued and signed by Perry Okudzeto, Acting Director of Communications for the NPP Monday noted, per his comments, Gen. Nunoo Mensah has exhibited to all, his incompetence in advising both Presidents Mills and Mahama on national security matters.

Read the full statement below:

 

20th October 2013

PRESS RELEASE

NPP CALLS FOR THE DISMISSAL OF GEN. NUNOO MENSAH

The New Patriotic Party wishes to express its shock and disappointment at the recent reckless outburst of the National Security Advisor, General Nunoo-Mensah (rtd), during the inauguration of a nine-unit classroom block at the O’Reilly Senior High School where he directed members of labour unions who were dissatisfied with their conditions of service, to pack their bags and leave the country.

The NPP finds the message of the National Security Advisor highly inappropriate, distasteful, and disrespectful to the platform on which he made the statement, considering the fact that the statements were made in the presence of the President amidst laughter. Unfortunately when the President got the opportunity he did not condemn the comments.

The NPP also considers as most unfortunate, that in an era where the nation constantly wakes up to news of crass managerial incompetence, in an era where the government drags its feet in recovering dubious judgment debt payments, and in an era where scarce national resources are invested in guinea fowls and ornamental plants, the National Security Advisor of the President will choose to vent his anger and frustration at innocent and hardworking Ghanaians who only seek to demand what is due them, by using legitimate means.

By his careless outburst at organized labour which will only create a platform for further tension and animosity between government and unionized labour, Gen. Nunoo Mensah has exhibited to all, his incompetence in advising both Presidents Mills and Mahama on national security matters.

Indeed if his recent call to members on the labour front to pick their passports and get out of the country, is reflective of the kinds of advice he has been giving the President on national security matters, then it is no wonder that the national labour landscape is what it is today.

Finally in terms of National Security, if we have 3200 Doctors and over 200,000 teachers alone, deciding to lay down their tools, what will be the implication for national security as he suggests these bodies do?

Accordingly we call on the National Security Advisor to resign his position or be shown the exit by the President to show that he, the President does not endorse this kind of irresponsible conduct in his government.

 

Signed

Perry Okudzeto

AG Director Communications