The term “greedy bastards” was quite popular in Ghana’s political space during the tenure of President John Evans Atta Mills in 2010 and later in 2012.

Coined by NDC's founder Jerry John Rawlings, it referred to some government appointees he wanted out of government if the party wanted to win the 2012 elections.

Former Local Government Minister Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi has in his book titled “Working with Rawlings” named the individuals he believed the former President was referring to.

It includes him, Prof. Ahwoi, former National Security Advisor Captain (Rtd) Kojo Tsikata, former Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission P. V Obeng, Prof. Ahwoi’s brother Ato Ahwoi, former Finance Minister Kwame Peprah and former Information Minister Kofi Totobi-Quakyi.

Prof Ahwoi writes; “I was informed by one of the persons I talked to while writing this book that in a number of his interactions with Jerry John Rawlings, he referred to the ‘greedy bastards” as “vultures who needed to be gotten rid of by President Mills, but the President never budged”.

President Mills however was of the firm conviction that the “greedy bastards” were critical to Rawlings’ success in government for nineteen long years and needed them by his side.”