General News of Wednesday, 19 June 2019

Source: myxyzonline.com

Where are the men of God as Akufo-Addo takes Ghana into abyss – Adu Asare cries

Kojo Adu-Asare Kojo Adu-Asare

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Adentan constituency, Kojo Adu-Asare has said there are a lot of things wrong with the governance of President Nana Akufo-Addo which need correction by persons who showed to Ghanaians in the past that they were full of wise counsel.

Swagger, as he is popularly called, has been wondering where the so-called men of God who spontaneously hit hard at the erstwhile Mahama administration have gone to as Akufo-Addo governs the country with an “unfamiliar” style.

Disappointed in the silence of the men of God who used their sermons and public speeches to criticise the previous regime, Mr. Adu-Asare said the clergy ought to give wise counsel to President Akufo-Addo and his bunch of family members in government to govern the country in the interest of Ghanaians.

Swagger who was speaking on Inside Politics, a political programme hosted by Mugabe Maase on Power 97.9 FM Tuesday afternoon, observed the presidency had been turned into a haven for Akufo-Addo’s cronies who do not have the country at heart.

His comments come few days after President Akufo-Addo went to Jamaica on a state visit where his nephew, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and other family members were seen around him at ceremonies that should have been attended by ministers of state.

During the two-day tour, Ghana and Jamaica both waived entry visa requirements for citizens wanting to travel to and from these two countries, with effect from 1st July, 2019.

After news of the waiver was published in Ghana, Gabby Asare Otcehere-Darko, who usually tests waters for his uncle with social media conversations, took to Facebook to stoke debate on whether marijuana (cannabis) should be legalised or not.

But Adu-Asare who was appalled by the post strongly criticised the government for the subtle call to legalise ‘weed’ through Gabby, who is known for communicating plans of the government on various policies.

“What is this? Is this what we bargained for?” he fumed and said the presidency had been reduced to a joke, adding “upon all issues confronting us, is that what we need?”

Taking a swipe at the president, the former MP said “How dare former president John Mahama to travel along with Ibrahim and Peter [his brothers] on an official tour? … President Mills, President Kufuor never did this. When former President Kufuor wanted to travel with his brother, he legitimately made him a Minister so he could represent the country with him.. Nana Addo is taking us for a ride.”

He wondered if the president and his cohorts had travelled to the Carribean country to invest there since getting an offshore account in such areas was not a big deal.

“…I can smell something…Those are the areas where offshore banking thrives, those Carribean countries are where offshore banking experts are. Ghanaians should shine their eyes because in those countries you can hide something [huge sums of monies],” the former Legislator said.

He further called on religious leaders to put the president on track and asked, “Where are the wise men? Where are those who make up the Catholic Bishops Conference? There used to be one of them in Sunyani who was very vociferous and critical [of the previous government], where is Prof Frimpong Manso? Arch Bishop Duncan Williams, Dag Heward Mills where are you?”

He continued, “Where is my own Pastor Mensah Otabil? He is my own pastor. I’ll mention his name because we know how his sermons went in the past. I’ll say it because he’s my pastor. I have been a member of the ICGC for the past 30 years,” he said.

“Where are the women? women Aglow, you used to pray from morning till afternoon. Where are you to talk about the rot in the country?” he quizzed.

He admonished the preachers and elders of the country to rekindle their patriotism and speak against the hardship the policies of the Akufo-Addo government has brought onto Ghanaians.