Renowned Ghanaian journalist and author, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has made a striking statement about President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, suggesting that he would have been more revered in Ghana’s history if he had never taken office.
Manasseh’s new book, “The President Ghana Never Had”, critically examines the President’s tenure since 2017.
In an interview on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Manasseh expressed his disappointment with the President’s performance, stating that he would have earned his respect if he had not assumed office or had passed away before becoming President.
Manasseh believes that President Akufo-Addo had the potential to be a visionary leader who could have transformed Ghana’s fortunes, but unfortunately, that opportunity was missed.
He also expressed concerns that the President’s actions failed to match his pre-election promises, leaving Ghanaians disillusioned after seven years of his rule.
“If Akufo-Addo had died without becoming President, I personally would have respected him more than he being President. His place in history would have been bigger than he becoming our President. But we would have said look, this is a visionary leader who would have transformed Ghana, unfortunately, we didn’t get him.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, we got him, but we did not get him, because the Akufo-Addo some of us expected, was not the president Akufo-Addo, we got when he became a President. So, either way, he’s the President that Ghana never got.”
He disclosed that he had voted for and celebrated President Akufo-Addo’s election, but was subsequently disappointed during his tenure.
“In 2016, a lot had happened and the question was if Ghanaians were still going ahead and doing this. [retain Mahama]. Then what is the point in risking my life, when this is what they want? So, when Akufo-Addo was announced as President, I celebrated it as if it was as if I had won,” Manasseh disclosed.