Solomon Owusu, Communications Director for the United Party (UP+), delivered a scathing critique of the administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, characterising it as a period marked by unprecedented levels of corruption, mismanagement, incompetence, and egregious governance.
Mr. Owusu asserted that the former President’s leadership style had a detrimental effect on all facets of national life, thereby depriving the Ghanaian populace of sustainable development.
Speaking via telephone from the United Kingdom during an interview on “As it is in Ghana” on Rainbow Radio 92.4FM with Sir Richie, Mr. Owusu made a provocative comparison: he suggested that even a primary school pupil would have provided more effective presidential leadership than what was witnessed under the former President.
He contended that the former President’s tenure does not offer a fitting example of a leader who should be accorded national recognition.
Furthermore, contrasting the record with that of President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Owusu suggested that President Mahama’s administration appears, by comparison, to have significantly improved the nation’s fortunes.
”Akufo-Addo’s government was so exceptionally poor that even a classroom one pupil would have been a better President. He presided over a ‘corruption bridge’, fundamentally abused his office, and willfully caused financial loss to the state. A prime example is the enormous pit he excavated and the investment of over $50 million into it. He promised to construct a national cathedral for God, but he allegedly misled the public regarding its funding mechanism and authorized the expenditure of substantial public funds on the project.”
The National Cathedral project has been widely reported to have cost over $58 million in public funds, with its total estimated cost escalating to around $400 million.
Sir David Adjaye’s firm has been involved in the design and received significant payments, with accusations from critics that his appointment and the use of state funds were irregular, though the firm has stated all payments were within contract scope.
The Communications Director also specifically addressed the procurement processes under the former administration, stating that Sir David Adjaye was allegedly granted numerous state resources despite having no formal contract with the Republic of Ghana at certain key junctures of various projects.
Solomon Owusu stressed by demanding immediate accountability: ”Former President Akufo-Addo must be brought before the country and prosecuted for his abuse of office and for causing financial loss to the state. He must not evade accountability for the significant detriment he caused this country. Some of us will continue to exert pressure on the relevant authorities to ensure that he faces the full force of the law for the alleged wrongs he committed.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana