A Political Communication Consultant, Dr Ekow Acquah has strongly chastised the Founding President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe over the latter’s perceived criticisms of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s policies.
Dr Acquah, in a scathing critique, called into question the credibility and analytical rigour of Mr Cudjoe’s recent assessments of Dr Bawumia’s initiatives.
Dr Acquah began by acknowledging the significant contributions of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, under Mr Cudjoe’s leadership, in shaping policy discourse in the country, crediting the policy think tank for its role in conducting impactful research and facilitating policy dialogues since its establishment.
However, he expressed disappointment over what he perceives as a decline in the quality and objectivity of Mr Cudjoe’s analyses, particularly on social media.
According to Dr Acquah, Mr Cudjoe’s recent posts have reduced serious national issues to mere satire, reflecting a lazy and armchair approach to analysis.
“Anyone who follows you, including your ardent admirers like me, would have realised how you struggle to make meaningful, intellectual analysis based on data and facts, as you used to do. You now reduce serious issues of national concern to satire, and you hide behind satirical analogies to attack those you despise, especially Dr. Bawumia.
“Your latest piece of baseless and shocking analysis on your Facebook page was your shocking claim that Bawumia’s 33 policies he has championed as Vice President, have no impact on the economy and the country”.
Dr. Ekow Acquah, Political Communications Consultant
This shift, Dr. Acquah strongly posited undermines IMANI’s reputation and the credibility it has built over two decades.
Debunking Cudjoe’s Claims
In a move to debunk some claims made by Mr Cudjoe, Dr Acquah denounced the perceived assertion that about thirty-three policies championed by the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia have not been impactful on Ghana’s economy.
Dr. Acquah listed several initiatives spearheaded by Dr. Bawumia, emphasizing their transformative impact.
“Mr Franklin, are you really serious, that transformative policies, which Dr Bawumia spearheaded, such as One Constituency, One Ambulance, Zipline Medical Drone, Mobile Money Interoperability, national biometric identity through Ghanacard, national property address system, digitalization of public services, Agenda 111, Zongo Development Fund, and many others, have not been impactful and have no impact on the economy? Even if you are being politically mischievous, you should be concerned about your integrity”.
Dr. Ekow Acquah, Political Communications Consultant
Accusations of Political Bias
Moreover, the Political Communications Consultant, Dr Ekow Acquah accused Mr Cudjoe of allowing personal biases and a desire to appear politically neutral to cloud his judgment.
He argued that Mr Cudjoe’s criticism of Dr Bawumia’s policies appears driven by a deep-seated animosity rather than objective analysis.
This bias, Dr. Acquah contended leads Mr Cudjoe to ignore the tangible benefits of the policies, which are appreciated by many Ghanaians.
“Discerning Ghanaians, who have seen the real impact of digitalisation on effectively battling corruption and saving the nation and the economy millions of dollars through identity fraud, appreciate what Dr Bawumia has done.
“Ghanaians, who were excluded and never had any means of identity, both for themselves and their property, appreciate Dr Bawumia’s efforts in ensuring a robust national identity and property address system”.
Dr. Ekow Acquah, Political Communications Consultant
Appeal for a Return to Objectivity
In his concluding remarks, Dr Acquah urged Mr Cudjoe to return to the objective, data-driven analysis that once defined his work.
He emphasized that IMANI’s credibility is at stake and called on Cudjoe to dissociate personal animosities from professional assessments.
Dr Acquah hoped that Mr Cudjoe would realign with the noble duties of a think tank, contributing positively to Ghana’s development.
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