Director of Communications at the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Chris Dugan, had an unusually sorrowful moment markedly different from his usual joyful and passionate demeanor, as a government communicator for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Dugan, overcome with emotion, was forced to prematurely exit a live programme on Angel TV while commenting on the recent helicopter crash.
In a tearful and subdued tone, the typically vocal Mr. Dugan struggled to contain his emotions following his initial remarks on the show.
“Knowing me, you know this is not how I sound,” he admitted to host Ohemaa Sakyiwaa on Thursday’s edition of the Angel Morning Show (AMS).
His emotional state deepened as he paid tribute to the late Dr. Ibrahim Mutala Mohammed, whom he revealed was his former boss.
“The relationship between me and Murtala is very close. I remember when we [NDC] came to power, I was with him throughout his tenure as MP for Nanton. I didn’t have any appointments at the time, but he was at the Ministry of Information sometime in 2014.
“He called me and told me that things were going to be all right because he had received a call to head to the Ministry of Employment as Deputy Minister,” he said.
He continued: “And truly, he assumed office and spent only one month before President Mahama reshuffled him to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Within two months of his new role, he employed me as his Personal Assistant (PA) while he was a Deputy Minister.
“I was with Murtala from 2014 to 2015 as his PA before I finally had an appointment to serve under former Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Hon. Kenneth Wujangi in early 2016 before we lost the election,” he shared, reflecting on their close relationship.
Mr. Dugan also recounted his final interaction with the former minister just days before he met his untimely death through the tragic helicopter crash.
“I even spoke with him on Sunday while he was in Tamale, his constituency, before his involvement in the tragedy. So I’m still shocked,” he stated.
According to him, “The loss of these eight is irreparable.”
Mr. Dugan, struggling to contain his emotions as tears streamed down his face on live national television, humbly announced his exit to the host and respectfully bowed out.
The late Ibrahim Mutala, until his death, served as Minister of Science and Environment.
