Lordina Running Parallel Presidency? I Doubt It Says Kweku Baako

Although Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, the Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper does not really like accessing publication of other newspapers because of the risk of sounding hypocritical, he has stated that the publication which suggests that the First Lady could be more powerful than the President �lacks substance�. He told Randy Abbey, host of �Good Morning Ghana� programme on MetroTV that, the publication falls short of giving an in-depth expos� on the very serious allegations it has made against the First Lady Lordina Mahama. ��I am always very cautious when looking at another publication done by another newspaper. What you read to us and the earlier ones that I have read; all those publications lacked material particulars that could substantiate the things that were being said�. �To that extent, am sorry if am being judgmental but to that extent, I think the publication has been unfair to the First Lady because these are serious charges,� Mr. Baako argued. He was of the view that First Ladies of recent past had been �overtly involved in politics, we have had First Lady�s that were withdrawn and we have had those that were moderate, doing charity and all the rest. I mean it is very good. It is very good that you have a First Lady that would do charity devoid of politics to help, not the husband or the government but the society�. The ace journalist made these comments during a discussion of a news article that sought to portray, Lordina Mahama, wife of President Mahama as one that has an over bearing influence over the husband. The Al-Hajj newspaper, in its Tuesday, October 22nd edition titled �Unrelenting Pressure On JM� Lordina Blamed; Accused Of Running Parallel Presidency�, published that ��less than one year after their investiture as the first family of Ghana�,Her Excellency Madam Lordina Mahama, wife of President John Mahama�is the one calling the shots at the presidency to the extent that, all who want appointments whether qualified or otherwise, simply have to go through the first lady�. The publication further alleged that �Madam Lordina,�according to sources close to the first family, has suddenly developed insatiable appetite and quest for power and is wielding enormous influence than it was ever seen of any first lady in recent memory, including the ever-powerful Mrs. Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Mrs. Theresa Kufuor and the soft speaking Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills. Indeed, some of the embittered folks around the presidency, in the government and among the party who accepted to speak to this paper on strict condition of anonymity, equated the first lady�s deportment and authority to the likes of former first ladies of Philippines and Ivory Coast, Imelda Marcos and Simone Gbagbo; �all that one needs in looking for an appointment in this government is to seek refuge in Madam for her endorsement and get some media guys to publish that you have been appointed to the said position�, voila! You can be assured of getting what you wished for,� one narrated to the Al-Hajj newspaper. But Kweku Baako believes the story is a figment of someone�s imagination and lacks substance. ��I see Lordina (First Lady) position herself in that middle, moderate, responsible way,� Kweku Baako said.