THE FOUNDER and leader of the Diaspora Progressive Movement (DPM), Dr. Lawrence Appiah based in the United States of America (USA) has quizzed saying that until 2017 when Ghanaians elected the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo as President of Ghana, there was democracy.
According to Dr. Appiah, President Akufo-Addo was sold to Ghanaians in 2016 as a democrat and a human rights lawyer, unfortunately after seven years in office, everything he (Nana Addo) has done has been extreme opposite of a democrat and a human rights lawyer.
Dr. Appiah explained that Nana Akufo-Addo deliberately removed then Electoral Commissioner (EC) Boss, Mrs. Charlotte Osei from office as if Ghana was in a military regime. He also grumpily removed the Auditor General, Mr. Daniel Yao Domelevo for investigating corrupt activities in his government.
Sadly, after Mr. Domelevo’s removal, it took close to a year for Ghana’s “suspected” Supreme Court to now ruled that the removal of Mr. Domelevo was unconstitutional. Are the President’s actions different from a military regime, Dr. Appiah quizzed.
In a related issue, DPM Leader recounted that the cousin of President Akufo-Addo, Ken Ofori- Atta, Finance Minister was asked by 95 Members of Parliament (MPs) from his own NPP party to resign due his incompetence.
But the President told the MPs to allow Ken Ofori-Atta to read the 2024 Budget and to complete the IMF deal before he relieves him of the post; both conditions have been met but Ken is still the Finance Minister, Dr. Lawrence indicated.
Adding, he also recounted that the appointment of the Director General (DG) of Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr. Eric Nkansah, brought all the teacher unions against the appointment.
They demonstrated and went on strike, but Dr. Eric Nkansah remains the DG of GES, this is what military regimes do, DPM President pointed out.
He further cited an instance where President Akufo-Addo angrily insulted one of the Ga Chiefs at Mepeasem, East Lagon, when he could not stand to observe the National Anthem being played due to his health conditions.
The Jubilee House asked the Chief to write and apologize to Ghanaians and the President for what the presidency described as irresponsible behaviour on the part of this Ga chief.
Three weeks later, when the same National Anthem of Ghana was being played, President Akufo-Addo’s daughter, standing by her father, was seen receiving calls and talking on her phone; President Akufo-Addo was so impressed that he allowed his daughter to go unpunished or apologize to Ghanaians for her rudeness and disregard for the national anthem.
“You Insulted A Poor Chief But Your Daughter Is Allowed To Disrespect A Whole Ghana” – Akuffo Addo Dragged As Daughter Makes Call During The National Anthem Reciting”, DPM President bemoaned.
Dr. Appiah further pointed out that President Akufo-Addo, who led one of the biggest demonstrations in Ghana to force the Jerry John Rawlings government to change its policy, has rendered demonstrations against his government useless. He said that several demonstrations have gone on in Ghana but under Nana Akufo-Addo, nothing has changed.
He hinted that this government of Nana Addo, never consults anybody including main stakeholders in any policy they introduce. They call the stakeholders to the table only when they hit the rock. It is like a military regime, where they are not accountable to the people.
To this, President of Diaspora Progress Movement (DPM) charged those who are thinking of returning the NPP to power in 2025 to rethink. “They might end up returning another dictator to office through the ballot box. Nana Akufo-Addo and Jean Adukwei Mensah, EC Boss are dictators in civilian clothing. I have said it”, he angrily added. Mahama Reba.
Source: Mationaltymes.com