'Akufo-Addo is afraid of accountability' - Edudzi Tamakloe on why President wants Bawumia as successor

The Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edudzi Tamakloe, has criticized President Akufo-Addo for his remarks about his preferred successor.

Edudzi Tamakloe noted that the president's statements are a deliberate attempt to evade accountability should the NDC come to power on December 7, 2024.

It is recalled that on April 24, 2024, President Akufo-Addo informed the Wa Naa that he cannot accept former President John Dramani Mahama as his successor.

According to President Akufo-Addo, he ousted John Mahama from the presidency and later defeated him again in another election. Akufo-Addo believes the former president should not return to office because he is likely to undo all the good works and developmental projects undertaken by the NPP government.

While at the Wa Naa’s palace, President Akufo-Addo said, "Wa Naa, as you know, this is an election year. On December 7, 2024, the people of Ghana will elect a new President and a new House of Parliament. Before the election is held, I will come here to pay my proper goodbye to you and thank you for the cooperation I received from you and your chiefs during my tenure as president."

He added that upon his next visit, he will bring Vice President Dr. Bawumia, whom he wants to be his successor.

Reacting to the president's comments, Tamakloe said, "Ghana's Presidency is not a chieftaincy inheritance. The presidency is about democracy, as we have practiced all this while. The Presidency is not a monarchical system, customary rite, nor a chieftaincy title where you would say that I am abdicating the stool, hence I want my son to take over. Ghana's presidency is not for Akufo-Addo. He went through an election, and in the election, he was voted for by Ghanaians. That is what is done, nothing more, nothing less."

Edudzi, speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' program on Wednesday, May 8, added that it does not lie in the mouth of the President to determine who his successor will or will not be and accused him of being afraid of accountability for the rot that has engulfed his government.

"Obviously, Akufo-Addo should not expect Mahama to continue with the looting. Is it the corruption, the naked thievery that is characteristic of this government? Certainly not. Mahama will never engage in this dangerous and nation-wrecking activity," he said.

To him, it is clear Nana Akufo-Addo wants to be succeeded by someone who will sweep all the corrupt deals under the carpet.

"He wants Bawumia to cover up for him; that is why he is all over the place trying to preach the negative sermon about John Mahama. But he should be rest assured that when the NDC comes to power, we shall investigate every rotten deal and deal with them according to the law. He knows that Bawumia will sweep all the looting, bribery, broad daylight thievery, and all illicit deals under the carpet, hence his desperate calls for Ghanaians not to vote for Mahama," he added.