Akufo-Addo gives GBA audience twice a year – Yaw Boafo

Yaw Acheampong Boafo, the President of the Ghana Bar Association, has voiced his criticism of public condemnations aimed at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, urging professional bodies and citizens to adopt a more respectful approach to addressing grievances.

Speaking during an interview on StarrChat with Bola Ray, Boafo stressed that engagement with leadership should be based on constructive dialogue rather than public criticism.

“President Akufo-Addo, and I’ll put it on record, twice a year gives us audience and those meetings are held behind closed doors. We tell him what we feel like telling him,” Boafo said, explaining the private nature of the consultations between the president and the association. He expressed disappointment with those who, after such engagements, publicly condemn the president, calling it a sign of disrespect.

“When the president gives you access and you air your grievances, it’s so disrespectful and shows that you don’t have values for you to come in public and condemn him,” he stated, referencing instances where professional bodies criticized the government after private meetings.

Boafo specifically highlighted the domestic debt exchange crisis, where the Bar Association had a lengthy three-hour meeting with the president to share their concerns. He maintained that after such candid discussions, it is the responsibility of stakeholders to advocate for change through proper channels rather than resorting to public outbursts.

The legal luminary emphasized the effectiveness of quiet diplomacy, noting, “I believe in talking. So, I’ve had better experiences when I deviated away from that.” Boafo’s stance advocates for a culture of respect and constructive dialogue in Ghana’s governance process, signaling the need for cooperation between leadership and civic bodies.