‘Attacking Kwabena Duffour is an attack on Asanteman’ – Student group to govt

The Coalition of Ashanti Students for Development, an amalgamation of tertiary students with Ashanti descent is protesting what it calls, “the blatant attack on achievers" like Dr. Kwabena Duffour and other businessmen in the Ashanti Region by government.

The group at a press conference on the campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) catalogued a number of businessmen whose businesses have either collapsed or had run-ins with the state over alleged regulatory and statutory infractions.

The coalition made reference to Nana Yaw Oduro of the collapsed First Allied Savings and Loans Co Ltd, Joseph Nsonamoah of the subsumed UT bank, Dr. Kwabena Duffour who founded the defunct Unibank and Dr. Isaac Osei who recently resigned from the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

It specifically tabled pages of academic laurels, national and international awards and recognitions accorded the former finance minister and founder of Hoda Holdings Dr. Kwabena Duffour and his contributions to the development of the rural banking sector and the commercial banking space describing his case with the state in connection with the defunct Unibank as an unwarranted witch hunt.

Vice President of the Coalition of Ashanti Students for Development Harry Karikari Antwi spoke on behalf of the coalition.

“Without equivocation, we want to state that, not only do we perceive these unnecessary litigations against the former governor as a political witch-hunt unleashed by the government on him as celebrated and venerated "grandfather" of economic management and excellence in Ghana, but the Ashanti Region itself feels targeted by this particular regime.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, over the last three years of this administration, we have systematically taken notice of the rather kamikaze and fruitless effort to cripple businesses of some sons and daughters of the Ashanti Region, typical example is Mr. Isaac Osei former CEO of the Tema oil refinery, who according to the Institute of Energy Security (IES), his resignation was induced by persons who wanted him to approve a shady deal that would have cost tax payers millions of dollars.”

“It beats the imagination and intelligence of the ordinary Ghanaian, that a government that promises jobs finds comfort and luxury in the destruction of companies and factories, rendering the few who have been employed, jobless,” he reiterated.

Speaking to reporter Ivan Heathcote-Fumador, Mr Antwi insisted the former finance minister and founder of the HODA group of companies has demonstrated enough goodwill to the state.

He averred, “I believe Dr Kwabena Duffour will come out in flying colours from these legal actions because the man is a hero who has helped this country in several capacities. He wasn’t even taking allowances; he rejected state accommodation and even gave his ex-gratia to the nations this person has a kind heart and people as such have to be spoken for.”

“Here in KNUST, there were scholarships that students were enjoying from Unibank so if we have had a chance to reap from the fruits of his labour, and you have the opportunity to act on his behalf, why should we deny him of help,” Harry added.

Mr Karikari Antwi also disclosed that the group was petitioning the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II whom they believe could bring government to order should he intervene.

He dared that the group has plans of converging all its members across all tertiary institutions across the country for a massive demonstration if they do not see any change in what it contends as government persecution of Ashanti businessmen.