President Akufo-Addo has narrated how he helped to secure victory for former Secretary to President John Dramani Mahama in the recent election for African Union (AU) top job during the just-ended 28th Summit of the AU.
Diplomat and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, Thomas Kwesi Quartey, contested and won the position of Deputy Chairman of the AU Commission (AUC).
But that did not come on a silver platter as he himself has admitted and has since been thanking President Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for the support offered him.
Quartey, who contested the election with five others, was not certain of victory without the backing of the new administration.
Revelations
At a meeting with the Ghanaian community in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa Tuesday evening, the president narrated how he defied even the counsel of his own party faithful to throw his weight behind Mr Kwesi Quartey.
Present at the meeting was Ghana’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Albert Yankey and members of the mission; Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo; Deputy Chief of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye; Minister-designate for Aviation, Cecilia Dapaah and Minister-designate for Information, Mustapha Hamid.
The rest included former Foreign Minister, James Victor Gbeho; former National Security Coordinator, Lt Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey and former anti-corruption crusader whose subtle defence of corruption under President Mahama government made people to doubt his credibility, Daniel Batidam.
Nana Akufo-Addo recalled that immediately after the 2016 general election which saw him becoming president, his predecessor, President Mahama, informed him about the candidature of Mr Kwesi Quartey, who was contesting as Deputy Chair of the AU Commission.
Details
“I think he was a little bit hesitant; thinking that his association with Quartey will put me off,” Nana observed.
But when he [Mahama] told him and asked of his view, President Akufo-Addo recalled telling then President Mahama, “That’s a very good idea; I know the man and I know his competence and I know he is capable of the job and that he will fly the flag of Ghana very high so I have no hesitation in my mind the idea of supporting his candidature.”
The president said when he told a few of his colleagues [obviously referring to his party men], “their responses were a little bit different; the idea being that he has been deputy minister in an NDC government; he has been Secretary to the President.”
According to President Akufo-Addo, he could not but stand his ground and supported the man, claiming, “I said no; he is a Ghanaian and he has the ability and we have to mobilise all the talents; so I have no hesitation, I’m going to tell the Foreign Minister-designate at that time to make sure that our service here and around the world is mobilized to support his candidature.”
Principle
That, he said, was due to the fact that “I’ve never believed in uniformity of ideas…I don’t believe that I’m president and everybody should agree with me. No! I don’t think that’s correct.”
Instead, he indicated, “I think we should have our differences in opinion; what we need to do is to as much as possible find a way of building consensus so that the various opinions can harmonise.”
He could not but thank Ambassador Victor Gbeho, who went from country to country campaigning for Kwesi Quartey, saying, “At least your work was not in vain; it has been crowned with resounding success. We are all grateful to you.”
Source: Daily Guide
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
WhAT IS funny about this? the man acted well and he wouldnt have looked like a f o0 l biaaa co during mills erra they did some to affect alan and others but h ethought it wise that he is father for all and acted as such so this calls for an applause and not funny biaaaa. if u want somthing funny to watch then go and watch scooby dooo
For me,Daily Guide does not even know that the elections are over n their anti NDC campaign should come to an end. Daily Guide should tell us the role the then President played when Mr. Allan Kyeremanten was seeking the Top position of world Trade organization. This mischievious stories does not unite us n i dont know what Daily Guide gains from it. Yes we no your boss is NPP,n you will be doing his bidding,but they should not be stories that would divide us,but stories that will unite us.I expect the editor to have enough sense to determned stories that brings National cohesion
I say No thanks for the sitting President supporting a countryman to gain a position. He is NOT the first President of this country to have done that. There was no noise from the predecessors who did that. Politicization of issues must stop. To those who objected to the President endorsing Mr. Quartey, I say SHAME. If they claim their party is democratic then they must start thinking properly.
The man is a Ghanaian and like past presidents do, when a citizen is seeking such positions, we expect sitting president to assist him or her. When it comes to seeking international post, there has never been NPP or NDC. We have always have our presidents supporting their citizens.
I'm just short of words to describe this short but intelligent president of ours. He has really made me understand that physical appearance has nothing to do with the way we think. Bless you President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo. God bless Ghana too
One Ghana one people
Someone tell me which person from an opposition party did the late Prof Mills and President Mahama support to win an International job? At least I know of Dr. Ibn Chambas and Dr. Spio Garbrah
This has happened before in past administrations. It happened under Kuffour, Mills and Mahama. period !!!
You have proven that you are indeed president of Ghana not a president of NPP. God richly bless you. More grease to your elbow Nana Addo.
A man of character Nana Addo