General News of 2012-09-18

Mahama’s Presby apology misplaced – Akomea

Communications Director of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akomea has urged President John Mahama to impress upon members of his party to render an unqualified apology to the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

He said the President can only prove he is in charge if he publicly asks the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Allotey Jacobs and Kwadwo Twum Boafo to apologize to the church.

President Mahama in an address to the chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area during the recent Odwira festival apologized to the Presby Church on behalf of his party and called for ceasefire to the impasse between the two bodies.

His apology came after leading members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) fired salvos at the Church for cautioning the Electoral Commission (EC) over the decision to create 45 new constituencies for the upcoming elections.

The NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Central Regional Director of Communication Allotey Jacobs accused the leadership of the church of doing the bidden of the NPP in the said caution statement.

The impasse culminated in the resignation of the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Free Zones Board, Kwadwo Twum Boafo from the church, having accused the church leadership of dabbling in politics.

The NDC's reaction to the stance of the Presby Church on the creation of the constituencies also infuriated the Public Affair Director of the Presby Church, Emmanuel Osei Akyeampong, who also responded in like manner.

However, commenting on the issue on Asempa FM'sEkosii Sen programme Monday, Nana Akomea said the action of President Mahama could portray him as a weak leader.He stated that in most cases, the subordinate who has offended someone must first apologize before his boss follows up with another apology.

Nevertheless, Nana Akomea indicated that the unrepentant posture of the NDC scribe and some of the party members [Allotey Jacobs and Twum Boafo] could set a bad precedence in the ruling party.

The NPP Director of Communications also questioned the rationality of the NDC attacking personalities who oppose any initiative of theirs regardless of the person's stature in society.

Akomea cited the ruling party’s numerous attack on policy think tanks, the clergy, civil society groups amongst many others to corroborate his claims.

He expressed worry about the repercussions on the nation should civil society groups be silent on issues which could cause unrest for the fear of being bullied by the NDC.

Nana Akomea called on President Mahama to be bold and reprimand any member of the NDC who unjustifiably attacks personalities who have publicly stated their stance on a national issue.