The demonstration has been linked to Mr. Annan’s exclusion in President John Mahama’s ministerial nominations.

But Mr Annan has clarified that he had no involvement in the protests, which saw the disruption of party office equipment.

“I heard that the youth were going to hold a press conference and protest. So, I called the NIB Officer to inform him about the planned press conference and urged him to monitor the situation. I personally forwarded the telephone number of the leader of the youth group to the NIB Officer and asked him to contact him,” he said in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem.

Despite his attempts to prevent the demonstration, Mr. Annan said his efforts failed, likely due to his physical absence.

“I have been unwell for some time, and I’ve been out of Effutu seeking medical attention and resting in Accra,” he stated.

He made it clear that he was not behind the disruptions.

“I was not aware of the disruption, and I feel deeply disappointed. Although it seems the youth were fighting for me, I did not incite them to act in such a way. It’s unnecessary and wrong,” he said.

Mr. Annan took the opportunity to address the youth in the Effutu constituency.

“I wish to reiterate that the responsibility to appoint individuals to high offices is the sole prerogative of the President. I urge the youth in Effutu to be cautious about associating my name with such irresponsible acts,” he added.

The NDC PC also stated that it wasn’t just him who hadn’t received an appointment from President Mahama.

“Even not all MPs have appointments, so why should anyone force the President to appoint me? I’ve never been promised an appointment. I am a Parliamentary candidate,” he remarked.

He has therefore urged unity within the NDC and stressed the need for restraint.

“I am very angry about what has happened. We worked hard to bring the party into office, and I believe whatever decisions President Mahama or the party makes are in the good interest of the party and the country. Let’s focus on the collective responsibility we have to deliver on the promises outlined in the NDC manifesto,” he concluded.

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The case, which originated in Winneba District Court, had Mr Annan accused of defaming Mr Afenyo-Markin with baseless allegations.

On March 20, 2020, Mr Afenyo-Markin filed the defamation suit against Mr Annan after the latter implied in a press statement that he suspected Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s involvement in a malicious scheme to deposit GHC100,000 into his bank account, aiming to falsely incriminate him.

The Winneba District Court, presided over by His Worship Isaac Oheneba Kuffuor, ruled in favour of Mr Afenyo-Markin on August 28, 2020, stating that Mr Annan’s statement was defamatory.

As part of the court’s judgment, Mr Annan was ordered to publish a retraction and unqualified apology on prominent media platforms, including JOY TV, ADOM TV, UTV, and relevant online media portals. Additionally, he was directed to pay damages and costs amounting to GH¢ 25,000.

Although Mr Annan fulfilled the payment of damages and costs promptly, he faced challenges with the publication of the retraction and apology. Only one media house adhered to the court’s order, while others failed to publish the required statement.

Subsequently, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin sought legal recourse by bringing an application before the Winneba High Court, requesting that Mr Annan be held in contempt for non-compliance with the court’s orders. On May 17, 2023, the Winneba High Court issued an order demanding an unqualified apology from Mr Annan within eight days.

In an effort to demonstrate his commitment and respect for the court’s orders, Mr Annan has now issued a comprehensive apology and retraction. He acknowledges that his previous statement had no basis or evidence linking Mr Afenyo-Markin to any malicious scheme. Mr Annan expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to Mr Afenyo-Markin’s person, reputation, and associates and unequivocally retracts his previous statement.

Below is his full statement and the court order:

On 20^th March 2020, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin brought a case of defamation against me (James Kofi Annan) in the Winneba District Court.

I had then alluded in a press statement that I suspected him (Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin) that he was behind a scheme of GHC100,000 that was maliciously deposited into my bank account to incriminate me. The import of his (Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s) case was that, by authoring the said statement, I had defamed him in the minds of right-thinking people.

On the 28^th day of August 2020, the Winneba District Court presided over by His Worship Isaac OhenebaKuffuor, (as he then was) entered a judgment in favor of Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin. In the view of the court, the statement I made was defamatory of Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin. The court subsequently made the following orders:

1. That I should publish on JOY TV, ADOM TV, UTV, and relevant online media portals a retraction of the publication, and to render an unqualified apology to the plaintiff.
2. That I should pay damages and costs of GH¢ 25,000.

In fulfilment of the above order 1, I wrote to the media houses involved, to publish retraction and apology. Unfortunately, only one media house carried the apology and instruction.

In the meantime I have already paid the damages and cost in full to the plaintiff in fulfilment of the above order 2.

Subsequently, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin brought an application to the Winneba High Court, asking the court to commit me to prison for failing to carry out the orders of the court. The Winneba High Court on Tuesday May 17, 2023, gave orders that I render unqualified apology to Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin within eight days.

Now the Unqualified Apology and Retraction

To further demonstrate my commitment and respect for the orders of the High Court, Winneba dated 17^th May 20223, and to show sincerity in my apology and retraction, I hereby submit forpublication on your network, a retraction of the full statement, and an apology, in the following terms;

1. I James Kofi Annan state that the statement I authored, which you published on 17^th March 2020 on your network was without basis;
2. That the statement I made, that I suspected him, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin in a GHC100,000 scheme to incriminate me, as mentioned in the said press statement, had no evidence whatsoever, and that I had no reason to make those comments;
3. That I should never have made that statement about Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
4. That I sincerely render an unqualified apology to Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin for any inconvenience the said statement I authored may have caused his person and or his reputation or his associates.
5. That I retract the statement I made in its entirety without any reservation.
6. That the above retraction and apology is made by me without any reservation.

Please kindly find attached the orders of the court, for your records.

Thank you.

Speaking at a press briefing, Supt. Samuel Okanta explained that Mr Annan was arrested for destructing the work of the District Registration Review Committee.

He narrated how the Member of Parliament (MP) barged into his office and raised unwarranted insults at him and the entire Committee while failing to observe the needed Covid-19 safety protocols.

Upon persistent threats to have him arrested, Mr Annan challenged the authority of the police, saying nobody could arrest him.

His rants, according to Supt. Samuel Okanta, forced him to employ the services of the patrol team in having him arrested and subsequently arraigned before court.

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But, James Kofi Annan has described Winneba District Police Commander’s assertions as false, calling on him to step down from his position as the chairman of the Election Review Committee because of bias.

Watch the video below for more on the police’s explanations: