Economy, security and the controversy surrounding the retrieval of state vehicles may have dominated discussions between President Nana Akufo-Addo and his predecessors.
The President is meeting with former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and his immediate predecessor, John Dramani Mahama to deliberate on governance issues.
Mr Mahama has been vociferous about his disapproval of how the retrieval of state vehicles is being handled.
Deputy information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, however, says the meeting will center on more than the cars.
“They will be having a general conversation, discussing many issues about the econo
my and other things that could be done to put the economy on track. They will talk about international relations, governance, anti-corruption among many others.
“President Akufo-Addo is sharing ideas with them and explaining to them what he is doing and I am sure they will also give him some feedback,” he confirmed.
According to the Deputy Minister, the open engagement to share ideas will also feature other issues that the other former Presidents will put on the table for discussion.
Former President John Mahama last month at a meeting with his former appointees promised to talk to President Akufo-Addo about the manner in which vehicles are being seized from former appointees.
He was also worried about the manner in which some civil servants appointed during his tenure are being harassed and some being forced to resign.
The former Governor of the Central bank Dr Nashiru Issahaku is reported to have been forced to leave his post although he himself has said he was resigning for personal reasons.
Former Deputy Education Minister, Samuel Okudzeko Ablakwa, has also complained about the manner in which the former CEO of COCOBOD, Dr Stephen Opuni wa
s made to leave office adding what government is doing to him amounts to a witch-hunt.
Regarding why the President will seek counsel from former President Mahama whom the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had consistently described as incompetent in running the country during his tenure, Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said, the meeting is not about former President Mahama.
“He is the former president of the republic of Ghana so if the president is meeting former presidents, it is not about former President Mahama, Rawlings or Kufuor specifically. It is about engaging with former presidents who have some experience and knowledge to share on how this country is moving forward,” he said.
In his Inaugural speech on Saturday, January 7, the President stated that “I am in the unique position of being able to draw on the wisdom and experience of three former Presidents of the Republic, their Excellencies Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama. They represent the continuity of the institutions of our Republic, for which we thank God.”
He also reiterated the same message in his speech to Parliament on the State of the Nation, on Tuesday, February 21, where he said, “I am in the enviable position of being the first Ghanaian leader to be able to draw on the experiences of three living, former Presidents. This should, definitely, enrich my tenure of office.”
“The meeting, which lasted for two hours, was held in a good atmosphere, one of frank exchanges and mutual respect. It is the intention of President Akufo-Addo to have further meetings with the three former Presidents in the future,” the Presidency said.
Source: www.myjoyonline.com
