Senior Presidential Advisor to President Akufo-Addo, Yaw Osafo-Maafo has apologized for making some tribalistic comment in a leaked audio that circulated on social media.
The former Finance Minister received backlash after he was caught on tape suggesting that the Asantes played no significant role in the struggle for independence and that it was led by the Akyems.
In a statement to apologize, he said his “comment was never intended to stir up ethnic tensions between Akyems and Asantes...ethnic tension is not a thing I want for our country or the NPP.”
“Despite the nature and circumstances of the discussion, I concede that I erred”.
“I, therefore, wish to offer my unqualified and sincere apologies for these comments,” he added.
Read the full statement below
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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The NPP government has done well. so far so good. His comment is his opinion. What is important is that Ghana is working again in the face of global economic challenges. The Ashanti Region is witnessing unprecedented projects comprising the 40 year abandoned Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity Block, the construction of a modernised Kumasi Central Market, an upgraded Kumasi International Airport, an ultra-modern regional hospital at Sewua, the construction of military hospital at Afari and various road projects across the country.
Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo is not Asante Hater. He was transfered from Bank for Housing and Construction to National Investment Bank in 1990 and removed in 1992 for attending an NPP rally. This man Yaw Osafo-Maafo is not anti-Asante. For a very long time he was a Director of Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC and provided the team with financial support via BHC. He also provided financial support to a number of companies in the Ashanti Region. As a former finance minister, he negotiated to have City Hotel reverted to Government from a company which had bought it under divestiture and followed the negotiations with the Joint Libyan owners to get the hotel rehabilitated. Before BHC, he worked under Kantinka Dr. Donkor Fordwor as Director of the Capital Investments Board (now GIPC) office in Frankfurt. The man indeed has paid his dues to nation building. He does and will always share his views on the socio-economic-political discourse of our dear nation. As a former Member of Parliament for Akim Oda Constituency, former Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, former Minister for Education and Sport, Senior Minister and Senior Presidential Advisor, I think that he has diligently contributed immensely to nation building and worthy of emulation and praise.
Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo is a veteran player in public administration and politics, he displayed a clear mind, he understood and appreciated the crucial place of Asante in the nation's history and politics. He holds no grudge against Asante. Saying Eastern Region had been in the nation's independence struggle before Asante's entry cannot be a terrrible faux pas.
His comment was innocuous though offensive. Needless but not reckless. He did not demean Asantes. Neither did he tout his Akyem folks as blue -blooded tribe of the nation as being inaccurately purveyed by the fiery.
The Hon. has paid his dues to nation building. I do not think he is a promoter of tribal tensions rather shares his views referencing Ghana's history. Osafo-Maafo is pro-Asante and he's amassed body of public record to back this. serving as a Director and Member in most of our public institutions such as Director for Kumasi Asante Kotoko, GIPC, Nestle Ghana LTD, VALCO, Bank for Housing and Construction, National Investment Bank and many more. Those insulting this noble man should stop. A word to a wise is enough!
How did we get here as Ghanaians? We are still insulting an adult who has come out to apologize, something we don’t see in our society. Many a times, those who stick to insulting are those who are bereft about the issue at hand. A simple question friends, have u listened to the audio? If He was your father, would you ask that he’s old and has achieved a lot so he should quit and get lost? Even Musk and Gates still want more. Always remember, you might find yourself in a such a situation one day, then you would understand. Do unto others what you want to be done to you. A simple advice to the young ones
Denying history with racial undertones? This is an advisor to the President. How can this be? He should be asked to quit. Osafo Marfo, get on your bike and disappear.
At your age if you can't still think before speaking but speak before thinking then you are an apology to grey hair. What do you want in life again? In the 70's you were the managing director of them Bank for housing and construction , you have been MP 4 times, you were minister of finance under president Kufuor, under Akuffo Addo you were made a senior minister now senior presidential adviser. It's like you know that even if the NPP wins power again you may not get any post again due to your age so you want to destroy the NPP and go away. You have clearly demonstrated that not all grey hair is wisdom. You attempted setting fire on green grass, it won't burn, fortunately young men from Akyem who qualify to be your grandchildren have come out to condemn your statement . What an irony, 20 year olds advising a 70-80 year old. I thought it should have been the vice versa.
You erred not only in the nature of the circumstances of the discussion but in substance. The Asantes fought basically against any form of foreign rule, be it British or colonialization, from the onset, and the Ashanti Territory was not part of the Gold Coast then. It was an independent Ashanti Kingdom but joined hands with the other regions of Ghana to fight for independence. Who are the Akyems? The Akyems migrated from the Ashanti region to the Eastern region, and they are brothers, sisters, and cousins. I believe the record is set clearer and straighter here.