In the wake of public scrutiny over the costs associated with the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama on January 7, 2025, tensions have flared between members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition.

Palgrave Danquah, who until recently had remained largely silent on governance matters as a spokesperson for President Akufo-Addo, raised questions about the expenditure on the inauguration, prompting a sharp retort from Joyce Bawa Mogtari, an aide to President Mahama.

Danquah’s inquiry regarding the financial details of Mahama’s inauguration has sparked a heated exchange, with Mogtari expressing disbelief at his timing and the questions raised.

“Apparently @PalgraveDanquah, until recently the almost silent Akufo-Addo spokesperson on governance, has been asking about the cost of President Mahama’s inauguration. I am still shaking my head,” Mogtari tweeted, signaling her astonishment at the NPP spokesperson’s newfound interest in government spending.

Mogtari wasted no time in clarifying the processes surrounding presidential inaugurations, stating, “Inaugurations are funded by the government, and in this case, the former administration, represented on the Transition Committee by the former Chief of Staff.

The planning is done by the Transition Team and executed by the State Protocol department.”

Her response serves as a reminder of how such events are typically organized and financed, with the government of the outgoing administration handling the logistics and the transition process.

In addition to defending the inauguration expenses, Mogtari took aim at the NPP’s administration, particularly regarding the past government’s economic record.

“Funny enough, he sat mute as his uncle’s government destroyed the economy and borrowed recklessly, leaving us totally bankrupt,” she continued. “He never for once asked any questions about PDS, Pwalugu, and the astronomical cost of the non-existent National Cathedral and many others.”

Mogtari’s comments were a pointed reference to the controversies that surrounded former President Akufo-Addo’s administration, including issues such as the Power Distribution Services (PDS) scandal, the Pwalugu Dam project, and the much-debated National Cathedral project—issues that were widely criticized for poor financial management and lack of transparency.

The conversation quickly turned political, with Mogtari concluding, “Ghanaians have totally rejected your government @PalgraveDanquah, get a grip.” Her words highlight the broader dissatisfaction many feel about the governance of the NPP, especially concerning its handling of the economy and public resources.

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