Governance Lecturer at the Central University, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has reprimanded President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, over his statements to some traditional leaders from Ekumfi in the Central Region.
The President told the traditional leaders, who paid a visit to him at the Jubilee House to request development in the community, that he intentionally abandoned them because they voted against an NPP parliamentary candidate, Francis Ato Cudjoe.
Francis Ato Cudjoe was defeated by Abeiku Crentsil in the 2020 elections and according to the President, not providing development at Ekumfi was his payback to the people.
“Ato Cudjoe was your MP and I made him a Deputy Minister and you voted him out in the last elections and because of that, I did not pay attention to development in your area, I have to be honest with you but since you have brought it up I will pay attention to it”, he said.
But to Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, the President’s comments are very unfortunate.
Dr. Otchere-Ankrah slammed President Akufo-Addo saying he dare not have made similar statements when he was pleading with Ghanaians to vote him into power.
“You wouldn’t have said the same thing if you were a candidate. You would never say this thing”, he stated.
Expressing disappointment in the President while speaking on “Kokrokoo” panel discussion programme on Peace FM, the lecturer admonished the President to be circumspect in his utterances stating it doesn’t befit a leader and President of the Republic.
He reminded the President of his oath to Ghanaians during his swearing-in on January 7 saying “when you were being sworn in and while you were holding the bible, you pledged to serve the entire nation without favoritism”.
He continued; “There is already the suspicion that the President has neglected certain constituencies. At first, it was a suspicion but we now know that that is how you are ruling the country. It is not good. You are giving your Communicators a difficult job.”
He also assessed the impact of the President’s statements on his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s bid for Presidency, asking “will it help him to get votes or reduce his votes?
Source: peacefmonline.com
