The President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Van Gyampo has described President Akufo-Addo’s comment during his tour to communities affected by flood resulting from the Akosombo dam spillage as unpresidential.
In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday morning, October 17 2023, the Political Science Lecturer at the Department of Political Science of the University of Ghana stated that the President’s comment did not depict statesmanship, particularly about the office he occupies.
According to Professor Gyampo, in times and emergency like this political leaders are expected to demonstrate empathy and show concern for the plight of the people rather than showing ‘nauseating partisan commentary’.
“With the greatest of respect, Mr President, this part of your speech was absolutely unnecessary. You ended well but, you could have made the speech without talking about their voting pattern and reference to the Togbe the way you did it. I watched and listened to you on TV and had to cringe”
Professor Ransford Van Gyampo
Professor Ransford Gyampo further expressed disappointment about President Akufo-Addo’s public outburst during his address to the chief and the people of Mepe.
He noted that President Akufo-Addo’s conduct sought to belittle the traditional leaders in the region.
“Mr President, we all know that you cannot and you wouldn’t have the courage to talk like this to the Okyehene or Asantehene. So why this tone of condescension? The history of politics in Ghana shows how we undermined the institution of Chieftaincy, especially under Nkrumah who threatened that upon attainment of independence, he would ensure that the chiefs would run away and leave their sandals behind them. It was for this and other later reasons that certain provisions were made in the 1992 Constitution to safeguard the respect of our traditional rulers”.
Professor Ransford Van Gyampo
Ablakwa Launches MP’s Mobile Relief Caravan For Flood Victims
On the other hand, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudjato Ablakwa has launched his MP’s Mobile Relief Caravan to support victims of the Akosombo dam spillage in his Constituency.
Mr Ablakwa noted that his office has developed an effective distribution system to ensure that all 19 camps for displaced persons in his beloved constituency regularly receive much-needed relief items without bottlenecks.
“The MP’s office has secured a relief package comprising bags of rice, maize, sugar, cooking oil, canned fish, mosquito nets, detergents, tissues, mosquito repellents, sanitary towels, life jackets and tissues for onward distribution to all camps.
Samuel Okudjato Ablakwa
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the over ten thousand displaced constituents remain very dear to his heart and he shall therefore do all he can to offer them all the necessary support.
“I shall be with you all the way — your welfare is my priority”
Samuel Okudjato Ablakwa
Meanwhile, the North Tongu legislator expressed his disappointment over the comment and conduct of President Akufo-Addo and chastised the President for underestimating the plight of the victims of the Akosombo dam spillage.
“This is not the time to remind people about how they vote. This is not the time to tell the people you hope that in the future, they’ll vote for your party. People are going through a humanitarian crisis, they are displaced, and you are speaking to them at a relief camp… This is not the time for politicking. We are human first”.
Samuel Okudjato Ablakwa
On Monday, October 16 2023, President Akuffo-Addo toured some of the communities that were severely affected by the flooding of the Akosombo dam spillage and assured the affected communities of his administration’s commitment to addressing the situation.
A portion of his speech during his address to the chiefs and the people of Mepe suggesting that he had visited to sympathise with them even though the residents there do not vote for his party has come under public criticism, particularly from the opposition party.
READ ALSO: Volta NDC Chastises President Akufo-Addo Over His Comment To Akosombo Spillage Victims
