I Am Sad – Kufour

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has expressed feelings of sorrow and unhappiness that a section of his party members have accused him of betraying the New Patriotic Party (NPP) by attending the swearing-in ceremony of President John Mahama.

“I believe I was duty bound to attend to the call of State in-spite of the fact that my heart was deeply sad with the feeling of my party of not having been treated well….I don’t think there is anyone in Ghana that has complained against the conduct and ruling or declaration of the Electoral Commission more than I, but when you have been made the head it will be a sad occasion if you allow your tail to wag you as head.

It is not just one man following his feelings and turning his back on party; that is not it,” John Kufuor noted during an interview on Citi FM Tuesday morning.

Former President Kufuor repeated for the umpteenth time that his decision to attend the January 7 swearing-in ceremony of President Mahama was done with the acknowledgement and approval of the National Council and National Executive Committee of the NPP.

He described as “unfortunate” comments from the NPP General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, that he (Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie) was unaware of any such decision by the NPP hierarchy.

“I heard my General Secretary saying he was not aware of any such thing at the meeting. That is unfortunate.

There would be some members of the National Council who may not feel right about my going but there certainly are others too who understand why I went. “I took pains to explain my position at the meeting and in fact, I believe I went away from the meeting with the National Council and National Executive Committee meeting together not raising any objection to my position that I should attend. I believe Nana Akomea later had the occasion to state this on air,” Kufuor explained.

Mr. Kufuor stated that his decision to attend the swearing-in of President Mahama would in no way undermine the merits of the NPP’s petition before the Supreme Court challenging the December 7 and 8 polls.

“From what I have seen of the pleadings, I am telling you it’s a very solid petition the party put together and submitted to the court.

My prayer is that the Supreme Court will do its work very honestly and properly for the sake of peace and stability in our country,” Kufour noted and also disagreed with assertions that the statesman position he has taken would water down the ‘Kufuor Legacy’ in the NPP:

“If I have left any legacy it should be for the entire Ghana and where I am now, if I am being put on the spot to chose between the State and my party, I would choose the State… I served my party very well, and I say anybody who would not credit me is not doing service to the party.

It was the party that put me up for the presidency of Ghana and with the grace of God and the support of the people of Ghana, I succeeded for eight years as President and everything I did reflected on the party.

So why should anybody say because Kufuor attended the inauguration, his legacy for the NPP is being thrown overboard.”