Stop stampeding Akufo-Addo: Ayisi-Boateng to A/R NPP

Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should be patient with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his appointments, George Ayisi-Boateng, a leading member of the NPP in the Ashanti Region, has said.

His comment comes at a time some members of the party in the NPP’s stronghold have expressed worry over the apparent neglect of Ashantis in the handing of appointments by President Akufo-Addo. They point to the president’s decision to bypass former party General Secretary Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) for the role of Director of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) as a case in point.

Sir John told a Ghanaian-owned US-based radio station that his chances of being appointed by the president were slim and did not believe Mr Akufo-Addo would give him any appointment anytime soon. He, however, called on party supporters not to stampede the president in his appointments.

However, speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen on Tuesday, 28 February, Mr Ayisi-Boateng said: “In the NPP, we have a stock of big brains, a stock of qualified brains unlike the NDC that doesn’t have such men. The appointments are ongoing and so there is the need to exercise restraint, governance is not a tea party and so let us be patient with the president.”

“Yes, it is true that the party struggled in opposition for eight years, but it doesn’t mean we should stampede the president in his appointments. What Ghanaians expect is that the government of President Akufo-Addo will fix the economic mess former President Mahama left behind, the falling rate of the local currency, and the power crisis. Let us show we are distinct from the NDC.

“Some people are saying the president has neglected Ashantis in his appointment. But KK Sarpong, where does he come from? Obeng Bonsu and Isaac Osei, who have been appointed by the president, where do they hail from? There are several others from the region who have been appointed. And so all those saying that the president has neglected Ashantis in his appointments have no case.”