Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Former President John Dramani Mahama said the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should be held liable for the economic hs5adship in the country.
He accused the government of state capture, in the acquisition of public assets.
“We need to hold this government accountable for the hardship and the crisis that they have subjected Ghana to, for the state capture that they have implemented in Ghana over the past 8 years, buying every state property, buying all the government lands, and amassing wealth for themselves.
“Recently, there was an issue about a document called Agyapadie, they said it is fabricated but even if it is fabricated, the implementation is not fabricated. Because everything that is written in that document has been implemented. So if really, somebody sat and fabricated that document then the person can really read the minds of people, because how they could have written that document and the mind of Nana Akufo-Addo and his family that this is what they were going to do, then that person is a proper creative writer,” he said in reaction to President Akufo-Addo’s earlier comment on the Agyapadie document.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had described the recent Agyapadie document as a baseless document and a clear attempt to mislead and create distrust.
The document which details a strategy aimed at positioning and maintaining Akyem people at commanding height in all spheres of Ghana’s economy has gone viral in recent months on both traditional and social media spaces.
The Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin described it as a total fiction fabricated by those determined for years to create and fan a hate campaign against the Ofori Panin household and Okyeman.
At a recent Akyem Abuakwa State Council meeting, he said “We saw this during the period of J.B Danquah and we’re seeing this now. In and around October 2016, about a few months before the election, the same document known as the ‘Akyem Project’ was in circulation. The focus of that was to fan hatred between Okyeman and Asanteman to undermine the electoral efforts of Nana Akufo-Addo. Unfortunately for them, it came too late to the election.”
“This diabolic plan was revised in 2019. In the year 2020 when the Agyapa business became a political issue, the book suddenly metamorphosed into ‘Agyapadie’” Okyenhene noted in a State Council meeting at Kyebi”.
Addressing the Ghana Report Summit on “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024” on Thursday, 1st August 2024, President Akufo-Addo said “the recent fabrication, “Agyapadie,” falsely claims a grand scheme by my party to annex state assets. This baseless document is a clear attempt to mislead and create distrust. We must remain vigilant and discerning, verifying information before accepting it as truth.”
He further raised issues against misinformation and disinformation.
He said “Our nation stands as a beacon of democracy, with eight successful general elections and peaceful transitions of power. However, as we approach the 2024 General Elections, we must confront the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, which can undermine our democratic gains and distort public perception.”
He added “As part of our commitment to safeguarding our democracy, I am pleased to announce that the government is implementing a National Action Plan to combat misinformation and disinformation.
“This comprehensive plan outlines strategic steps to address the spread of false information, defend our democratic processes, and promote an informed and engaged citizenry. By enhancing our legal and regulatory frameworks, collaborating with technology companies, and launching public awareness campaigns, we are taking a proactive stance to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that misinformation does not undermine our hard-won democratic gains.”
As President of the Republic, he assured that the upcoming elections will be conducted peacefully, transparently and credibly.
“The security agencies are tasked with maintaining law and order, while public awareness campaigns will empower voters to make informed decisions.
“Together, let us protect our democracy from falsehoods, and uphold the values that make Ghana a model for the world.”
