Manasseh Azure Awuni, award-winning Ghanaian Journalist and Writer, in a scathing commentary, has given an indicting judgement, painting a sobering picture of the aftermath of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s tenure.
The celebrated journalist, known for his incisive critiques and fearless journalism, revisited his prophetic musings from 2019, charting the descent of a leader once hailed as a paragon of integrity.
“In parliament, his wife is fighting an inglorious tribute delivered while his casket, like his ears, remains open. Far away in Takoradi, a statue mounted by sycophants in his honour is toppled, the way tyrants fall.
In his party, the unanimous chorus is that his successor paid for his sins. Why did it take too long for people to see what some of us saw two years into Akufo-Addo’s presidency?”.
Manasseh Azure Awuni, award-winning Ghanaian Journalist and Writer
Manasseh Awuni recalled his 2019 article, “If Akufo-Addo Had Died in 2016,” in which he argued that Akufo-Addo’s pre-presidency reputation would have secured him a place in Ghana’s golden annals.
However, Manasseh strongly posited that the former president’s tenure, marred by scandals, mismanagement, and accusations of power abuse, shattered the image of a once-principled leader.
Manasseh underscored the irony of the current state of affairs: the same chorus of praise singers who silenced critics during Akufo-Addo’s tenure have now retreated.
According to him, the sycophants, once emboldened by proximity to power, now seem unwilling to defend a legacy that has crumbled under the weight of its contradictions.
The Tyranny of Power
The former Nieman Fellow at the Harvard University’s view underscored the fleeting nature of political power, comparing it to an orgasm—a fleeting high that leaves even the mightiest at the mercy of time and public judgment.
He noted that Akufo-Addo, once capable of ordering investigations, arrests, and prosecutions, is now relegated to the sidelines, powerless to act against those dismantling his symbols of honor.
For Manasseh, the toppling of the Takoradi statue is particularly emblematic, asserting that it represents not just the end of an era but the rejection of a leadership style that many now deem tyrannical and self-serving.
This, in the view of Manasseh is the unvarnished and uncensored verdict of the people—a stark contrast to the flowery tributes that will undoubtedly grace the history books.
“We don’t speak ill of the dead, so if his time comes one day, we shall still see much of the fiction in the form of tributes. But what he is seeing outside of power appears to be the unedited and uncensored tribute in the hearts of many.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni, award-winning Ghanaian Journalist and Writer
Manasseh Azure Awuni’s reflections extended beyond former President Akufo-Addo, serving as a cautionary tale for those in power today.
He emphasized that the abuse of power and the betrayal of public trust do not go unnoticed, asserting that while power may elevate, its misuse guarantees a steep and unceremonious fall.
“Auntie Rebecca’s fury cannot change the minds of the jury,” Manasseh wrote, driving home the futility of attempting to rewrite a legacy that the people have already judged.
His words challenged current and future leaders to prioritize integrity and public service over fleeting accolades and personal gain.
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