I call this episode the ComboClash ....whatttt!!!!!!!!!!!Akufo addo government is not your pension pay😂😂😂 The fulani lady😂😂😂 #viralvideo #NDC #Mahama #Elections2024 #Ghana #video #kelvinTaylor #loudsilencetv Thank you Sir Ivan ❤❤❤ Now wele bi 5gh. Akufo addo come here and explain!!!! #akuffoaddo
Great submission, Ivan, as always! We are very proud of your work and achievements. I am becoming hooked on your posts and wanted to share a few thoughts after seeing the headline 'Ivan Makes a Funny Comparison Between Kufuor’s NPP and Akufo-Addo’s NPP.' I encourage you to prepare a write-up or presentation on the similarities between the Kufuor and Akufo-Addo administrations. Given the depth of your analysis and insights, it would be a great piece to read. Indeed, while we aim to focus on the present rather than dwell on history, it is important to note that some of the unjust actions taken by the forefathers of the NPP against Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is being echoed today in the actions and inactions of the NPP party since it was formed. The malicious acts by the forefathers of the NPP, towards Dr. Kwame Nkrumah for example can be compared to some of the underhanded tactics employed by the NPP to incite fear in the lead-up to the 2000 elections, including the planting of dead bodies of women in different parts of Accra to create tension. This history provides context to believe Hopeson Adoye’s revelation about their efforts to create fear in the Volta region during the 2016 elections. I am particularly happy about your continuous expositions in discussing the deceptive behavior of politicians who promise one thing and do another once in power, as vividly depicted in Akufo-Addo’s regime. Indeed, if this issue is not addressed seriously, it could undermine any progress the country has made and weaken the belief that democracy is a better system for governing. Briefly, there are some easily notable similarities between the Kufuor and Akufo-Addo regimes: Property Owning Democracy and Alleged Cronyism: There have been persistent claims of misuse of power in selling state lands in prime areas of Accra to political insiders. This practice reportedly began under President Kuffour's led by Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, who served as the Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital from 2003 to 2005. He sold the land that to the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Additionally, many lands in prestigious areas Cantonments, behind Christ the King Catholic Church, were all sold. More recently, a large stretch of land after Madina ‘Maye hot’ intended for Civil Aviation staff is said to have been bought by a businessman affiliated with the NPP. This raises serious questions about greed and accountability. Why do these acquisitions seem predominantly linked to NPP members? If JJ Rawlings had engaged in similar practices during his 19-year rule, would there be any land left today? Judiciary Concerns: Concerns about political influence over the judiciary have also been raised. Allegations suggest that under President Kuffour, there was a manipulation of the judiciary, as exemplified by the trial of Tsatsu Tsikata. Under President Akufo-Addo, similar issues have been reported in cases like that of Dr. Stephen Opuni. These situations highlight worries about the independence and impartiality of Ghana’s judicial system. Sale of Ghana Telecom and the attempt to sell the SSNIT hotels: During President Kuffour's administration, there were significant concerns about the sale of Ghana Telecom. Despite a comprehensive professional due diligence report that cost nearly $2.5 million, President Kuffour allegedly bypassed this process and negotiated the sale independently. Subsequently, he was reportedly awarded recognition by Charter House. This situation bears similarities to the recent controversy involving the purported sale of SSNIT hotels under President Akufo-Addo's government, raising questions about transparency and accountability in such transactions. Weakening Government Institutions: There have been accusations of weakening government institutions by appointing individuals affiliated with the NPP to various agencies, regardless of their qualifications. This practice has allegedly compromised the effectiveness and impartiality of these institutions, undermining public trust and the ability to serve the nation equitably. Rapid Wealth Accumulation in Power: There have been notable instances of rapid wealth accumulation linked to political power. For example, during the 1996 campaign, the NPP party purchased motorcycles but struggled to pay for them, leading to a court case against the party. Initially, Kuffour, the presidential candidate at the time, was named as the primary defendant, but the court later ruled that the NPP party was responsible for the debt. In another instance, in 2000, Kuffour’s old Mercedes Benz broke down during a funeral in the Ashanti Region and had to be towed to Accra by the then Rawlings government, which also provided him with a vehicle for his return journey. However, just six months after Kuffour became president, by June/July 2001, his eldest son, Chief Kuffour, was able to purchase Hotel Wawa for $2.5 million. The government communicators suddenly justified the transaction that Chief Kuffour was working with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London at the time and therefore could afford the hotel. In 2007, during the Ghana at 50 celebrations, there were allegations that Kuffour’s daughter was responsible for overseeing the procurement of various items from China at inflated prices. Has anyone heard that any of Rawlings' children have been involved in any transactions of this nature? By their fruits, ye shall know them. Today, parallels can be drawn between the actions of Kuffour’s children and those of Akufo-Addo’s children, highlighting concerns about potential conflicts of interest and unfair advantages by the political elites. It is crucial to address and prevent such occurrences to ensure fairness and transparency in public office. Using one’s official position to promote his/her private business interests: It would be intriguing to explore how Hackman Owusu Agyemang leveraged his company, Sikelele, during his time as Minister of Works and Housing. Similarly, we have learned about the transfer of government’s insurance business from SIC to Enterprise Insurance Company, owned by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. Moreover, the collapse of several small banks raises questions, especially when Data Bank, which might have faced similar or even more severe liquidity challenges during the time, did not encounter the same fate as others. I can go on and on. This was said to be among the reasons for J.J. Rawlings’s utter frustration with Prof. Mills (may his soul rest in peace) who refused to investigate and prosecute officials under the Kufuor administration. Prof. Mills, who earned the nickname ‘Asomdwe Hene’ was disappointed with the court rulings on initial cases and failed to understand that one can not talk of peace when dealing with treacherous people like the NPP. I don’t blame Prof. Mills (my former lecturer in company law at the University of Ghana) because he did not experience what Rawlings and his wife went through at the hands of the NPP, politicians with diabolic intentions So, we can talk about what happened during the PNDC/NDC era alongside the prosecutions during Kufuor's administration. I believe that anyone who served in public office must be held accountable, as Kufuor did to the NDC officials, but unfortunately, we have nothing to reference today from Kuffour’s administration. This is not to say that things did not go wrong-many things did. The NDC losing power in 2016 was a very good thing. Experience is not something you can buy in the market. Rawlings may his soul rest in peace, wanted investigations to be conducted, at least for the sake of posterity, but unfortunately, the same NDC viewed him as a warmonger. Here we are today. While the NDC is celebrating Prof. Mills, they seem to overlook Rawlings, whose life and efforts created and sustained the party. Posterity will judge them. One thing is certain: Rawlings' legacy is significant. In French West Africa, if not the entire continent, and in around the world, after Kwame Nkrumah, J.J. Rawlings is the next Ghanaian president widely recognized and fondly spoken about. Ghanaians can take it or leave it. History has clearly shown that the NPP and its predecessors are often consumed by their attempts to win power and will do anything to achieve it. What promises did Akufo-Addo not make to Ghanaians in his bid to gain power, from fighting against VAT increases to combating corruption? But what have we seen in return? The NPP and its forefathers have demonstrated that they often put their party’s interests before the national interest (and sometimes even inimical to that of the national interest (I might be wrong, but ….) I will write again about the comparisons between Kufuor and Akufo-Addo and then finish with the NDC under Mahama. John Dramani Mahama became president by 'accident.' He was neither prepared nor ready when he assumed office and made serious mistakes. Given JDM's limited experience in governance, I was not surprised by the results. Losing the elections was a good opportunity for him to go back to the drawing board. Before I conclude for today, I sincerely hope that the next leader in the 2024 elections will approach governance with all the seriousness needed to ensure the NPP does not come close to power for at least the next 20 years. Ghanaians need this extended transition period to stabilize the economic and political gains that have been eroded over the last eight years and set the stage for serious deliberations on the type of leaders needed to reset the country’s development agenda. It is my fervent hope that Alan Cash will make significant inroads and gradually become the second or third force in the political field. This would allow for professional and mature judgment in the exercise of political power. I also hope that Cheddar and his team get things right to establish themselves as a leadership force for the youth in the coming years.
