President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed disappointment in the recent comment shared by former President John Dramani Mahama on Agyapa Royal deal which described some people in government as ‘Akyem Sakawa.’
President Akufo-Addo, who appeared upset about the comment, also laid bare his disappointment in religious and other bodies for not reprimanding the former President for sharing such a ‘reckless comment.’
President Akufo-Addo said these when the Catholic Bishops Conference called on him at the Jubilee House.
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“Archbishop this name calling and insulting, it seems to be a feature of Ghanaian public life which is not good. But sometimes we would hope that, when things come out, people will comment on them. The comments made by my opponent, ‘Akyem Sakawa’ people, I have not heard any public figure in this country, independent, yourselves, anybody comment on it. It’s completely unacceptable,” the President said.
He added that: “If I was to get up to make a comment about Northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the approar that will be in the country. Presidential candidate, a former President of Ghana, you can call a group of Ghanaians ‘sakawa’ people and it involves the group which the sitting president comes from?, that statement goes without comment?, and at the same time we hear this statement let’s all try and bring the politics of insults to an end, etc etc?”
President Akufo-Addo, who was responding to an advice by the Bishops Conference, noted that if Mr Mahama had a problem about the deal, he could have let his concerns known instead of branding some ‘Akyems’ in government as ‘sakawa’ people.
The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Philip Naameh, who is also the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale Diocese, had called for decorum in campaign messages saying there is no need to dehumanise others to justify one’s ability to perform.
He urged the President to ensure his Communicators perform their duties without insults.
Most Rev Naameh also expressed grave concern about the recent politically orchestrated violence that took place in some parts of the country during the just ended voter registration exercise.
