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General News of Wednesday, 11 April 2001

Source: The Independent

J. J's Arrogance Caused Our Defeat- Akuoku Sarpong

The ex-presidential staffer on chieftancy affairs Nana Akuoko Sarpong has declared that the defeat of the NDC in the general elections was due to arrogance on the part of Ex-president Rawlings.

Shouting on top of his voice, Nana Akuoko Sarpong said their electoral defeat late last year was because his advice was rejected by the former power brokers adding he was one of the close associates of Rawlings but due to reasons best known to himself the life leader of the NDC turned a deaf ear to all his warnings that there could be unfavourable signs in the run-up to last year's elections.

In a stunned move very much uncharacteristic of faithful followers of the past regime, Nana Sarpong, speaking to reporters claimed he has never been afraid of Rawlings. He added that he has been a man of integrity, wisdom and courage which would not make him 'kow-tow' before the former excellency who is now preparing himself for battle against killer mosquitoes.

Nana Akuoko Sarpong who said he would come out with what he had in six months time also claimed he has never been a "yesman" to the man who is on record to have come to power through the barrel of the gun on two successful occasions- an enviable record to his admirers in other parts of the globe. The one time commissioner on culture who is also the paramount chief of the Agogo traditional area of Ashanti and other chiefs who went against the country's constitution to dabble in active politics supporting everything about the NDC hook, line and sinker were made to bow before President Kufuor during a recent visit of the Ashanti Region by the Asantehene in a calculated move to teach them a "lesson." He vowed never to take any position in the present political administration although observers believe he has no role to play in the new dispensation which has promised no place for sycophants and people who think they can enrich themselves through the tax payer's hard earned money.

Although the legal brain gratefully received a substantial amount from Nana Ato Dadzie's controversial End of Service Benefits (ESB) Akuoko Sarpong boasted that he was a well-to-do lawyer before coming into government and that he built his house in Accra as far back as 1979 when even his boss never dreamt of putting up his own place of abode. He strongly criticized the NPP administration for opting to join the HIPC initiative saying the country has been sold to the west.

Nana Akuoko Sarpong's words of wisdom to the general citizens was that the four year service of president Kufuor should elapse before any compassion is expressed for the government of the (P) NDC which has mismanaged affairs for twenty years and left behind a legacy of trillions.