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General News of Saturday, 7 January 2017

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Akufo-Addo's inaugural speech a plagiarism of former US presidents'?

H.E Akufo-Addo delivering his inaugural speech play videoH.E Akufo-Addo delivering his inaugural speech

It appears portions of H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo's inaugural speech at the Independence Square on January 7, 2017, was lifted from inaugural speeches delivered by former US presidents, George Bush and Bill Clinton.

President Akufo-Addo while addressing the gathering urged citizens to be active partakers in the running of the country.

"I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building your communities and our nation. Let us work until the work is done," he said.

However, checks reveal that the above words were contained in George Bush's 2001 inaugural speech.

Another portion where Nana Addo urged the citizenry to believe in their strength in tackling challenges seems to have been lifted from Bill Clinton's 1993 inaugural speech. Per checks, the only difference in the statement was the replacement of 'Americans' with 'Ghanaians'.

"Though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths. Ghanaians have ever been a restless, questing, hopeful people..."

The development has been greeted with mixed reactions from the public.