General News of Thursday, 26 April 2012

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Re: Akuffo Addo Is Threat To Peace And Stability In Ghana - Us Think Tank

Our attention has been drawn to a publication with the above headline, written by one “the true statesman” which I said to be edited by one Dela Coffie. We wish to bring to your attention the fact that the publication is premised on falsehood and is aimed at attempting to tarnish the hard won reputation of our flag bearer and a statesman of this country.

The article is based on so – called key stress points of a report authored by one David W. Throup for the CSIS. However, we have noticed that what they quote as key stress points in the article, which is “... The role of the NPP leader and expected presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, will be crucial, and early signals suggest reason for worry. Akufo-Addo is desperate to mobilize support, and he has played the ethnic card, referring to the NPP as “We the Akans,” urging his supporters to “all die be die”—that is, they should be willing to die to ensure the NPP’s victory.” Is not what is contained within the key stress point section of the report. Also, what they seek to adduce is not contained anywhere within the sense of the report.

The key stress points of the report, contained in page 1 of the report are as follows:
“1.Ghana’s prospects for long term stability are being undermined by important structural weaknesses. The political system is highly centralized, the executive is excessively powerful and the patronage politics is corroding public institutions. Social pressures are building due to slow decline of the country’s agricultural sector and its inability to provide jobs for its growing workforce.

2. In the next five to ten years, the main threats to Ghana’s stability will stem from social and macroeconomic impact of its news oil export sector, the influence of drug trafficking on its political system and youth unemployment.

3. The 2012 elections are likely to be the single most significant potential trigger of violence in the near term. Ghana’s two main political parties are closely matched and are highly antagonistic toward each other. A contested election result is possible.”

Nowhere in this section is there any mention of what the true statesman contends is the basis of that inflammatory article that is meant to cause fear and panic.We wish to use this opportunity to call on the National Media commission and all stakeholder to therefore condemn, unreservedly, this act of unprofessional and assassination type journalism to forestall the tendency of it growing out of proportion and leading to a very dangerous cycle of retaliations. We also ask that the police fully investigate this action.

NANA KOFI OPPONG-DAMOAH
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
NANA ADDO FOR PRESIDENT MOVEMENT 2012.
0244 928 375.