The Deputy Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), UK Branch, Eric Amofa, has entreated the former President, John Dramani Mahama, to conduct himself in a manner that befits his status in his quest to win power in the next general elections.
An article from the Bolgatanga Central MP, Isaac Adongo, describes some persons in the New Patriotic Party as “Akyem Sakawa Boys” in relation to the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal.
This article was shared on the Facebook page of the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, although he has not commented personally.
According to Eric Amofa, a former NPP MP aspirant in the Asante Akyem South Constituency of the Ashanti Region,and Deputy NPP Organiser, UK “it is regrettable for a former head of state to want to associated himself with such derogatory and irresponsible comments to deliberately offend and attack the integrity of all Akyem people for political expediency.
In a statement issued in Accra, Mr. Amofa said “John Mahama appears to be commenting on everything he comes across on social media and radio. This places him in the level of a foot soldier or a serial caller. Such comments by a former President whether directly or indirectly, is below the belt and he must be punished for it in the 2020 general elections”.
However President Akufo-Addo at a meeting with the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference complained about the ethnocentric campaign being staged by the former president and the flag bearer of the opposition NDC, John Dramani Mahama.
“Sometimes, one would hope when things come out, people will comment on them. The comment made by my opponent: ‘Akyem Sakawa’ people, I have not heard any public figure in this country or anybody comment on it”.
“If I was to get up to make a comment about northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that will be in the country,” worried Akufo-Addo said.
In restraining Mr. Mahama from fanning tribal politics, Mr. Amofa urged the NDC Flagbearer to step down and allow for a more competent opposition leader.
Mr. Eric Amofa however commended President Akufo-Addo for “unprecedented social interventions such as the Free SHS, Free Water, Free Hot meals for SHS and JHS final year students, school feeding etc. carefully put in place for the benefit of the ordinary Ghanaian”.
Akufo-Addo condemns ‘Akyem Sakawa’ tag
President Akufo-Addo has already condemned the tag.
Speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Catholic Bishop Conference at the Jubilee House on Friday, President Nana Akufo-Addo said he was “very disturbed” by the remarks.
He condemned what he called ethnic branding, saying “that is the kind of language we don’t want in our politics.”
President Akufo-Addo also said he was disappointed at the lack of criticism towards those remarks from observers.
“Sometimes one would hope that when things come out, people will comment on them. The comment made by my opponent; Akyem Sakawa people, I have not heard any public figure in this country or anybody comment on it.”
“If I was to get up to make a comment about northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that will be in the country,” the President lamented.