Some people wanted me to be Chief of Staff - Dr Amoako Tuffour

Dr Kwame Amoako Tuffuor has said some people were pushing for him to be appointed by President Nana Akufo-Addo as Chief of Staff prior to the naming of Frema Osei Opare for the position.

Speaking to Moro Awudu on Class91.3FM’s Executive Breakfast Show on Thursday about growing discontentment in the Ashanti Region, the governing NPP’s stronghold, about the absence of many Ashantis in the Akufo-Addo government, Dr Tuffuor said it was important for party supporters in the region to exercise restraint since the president has a lot of choices to make and factors to consider in making his appointments.

Citing himself as an example, he said: “I, for instance, know some people wanted me to be Chief of Staff and all that [but] I’m satisfied with what he has in effect given me and I don’t have any grumbles and I’m prepared to work with and help Frema Opare get her work done.

“I have a lot of experience and know how to get a lot of things done. If I feel hurt or neglected or disappointed, I wouldn’t be saying these things. Let us all cooperate, work behind the unity thing, and help the president achieve all those ideas he suggested he was going to do to bring us into better lives and better development and in a future we haven’t seen yet; … he is not going to play games, no.”

He said he was privy to the fact that the president has pencilled some more Ashantis for very important positions. “I’d like to assure you that H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is very sensitive and mindful of what he has to do for Ashanti Region and the other regions. We know very well and I’m standing here tall to tell you (Ashantis) that there’s no way that H.E. The President will undermine Ashantis, will not give Ashantis due share of posts and positions,” Dr Tuffuor assured.

“First of all, there have been some few Ashantis. Believe it or not Frema Opare is an Ashanti and she’s already in the Flagstaff House. There’s another Ashanti that I know of 100%, who is going to be there, too, and another one is likely to be there – three of them, minimum.

“I’ll plead with you to be a little patient. I am patient, I lead most of you, especially in the Ashanti Region, in most of the things we have done especially towards the elections and all that and I know from the discussions I’ve had with H.E. The President that my position, for instance, is secure; it’s just that it hasn’t been announced. There are quite a few people whose positions have been declared to them but they have to wait till the appropriate time when it’s announced.

“I’ve started working with the president and I want to assure you that the notion that he is neglecting Ashantis or people from Ashanti [is not true]. He knows you (Ashantis) are the heartthrob of the party, you are the most populous, arguably the most energetic [support base] and you pushed us to victory, so there’s no reason why he would play games with this region and for that matter all regions. …I am assuring you, please take it from me that you will be satisfied.”