Founding President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe, has responded to calls for another #DumsorMustStop vigil. Actress Yvonne Nelson took to social media to request the help of IMANI in organizing a replica of the 2015 #DumsorMustStop vigil.
After sharing the post that tagged IMANI, many have reacted to it. As a result, Franklin Cudjoe has decided to bring clarity to the matter. He released a statement to share the truth behind what happened in 2015 and who really partnered Yvonne Nelson in that memorable event that swept pressure through the corridors of the then government.
According to Franklin Cudjoe, though one of its members Kofi Bentil was prominently seen with Yvonne Nelson during the event. He was not representing IMANI but Citizen Ghana Movement. Franklin Cudjoe added that he has never spoken to Yvonne Nelson before and no one at IMANI has engaged her officially before.
He added that IMANI will continue to do its bit in ensuring a sane power sector in the country as it has done in the past.
Mr. Cudjoe added that when IMANI is ready to “join or organise street demonstrations over dumsor or any malignant political and economic issue,” they “will not be shy to at all.”
Read the full statement by Franklin Cudjoe
Let us settle this matter here as many have reached out on this Dumsor debacle..
The truth really is that IMANI has never organised any demonstrations ever, not even Dumsor vigils. It does not mean we look down on street demonstrations.
It was the Citizen Ghana Movement, a pressure group which Kofi was a prominent member of that reached out to Yvonne politely and requested her support for the 2015 dumsor vigils.
I have NEVER met and even spoken to Yvonne ever before and certainly none at IMANI officially engaged Yvonne.
Of course, Kofi was seen in photos with Yvonne and so she and others could easily conclude IMANI was the entity she was dealing with.
It was purely out of courtesy and respect for Yvonne and others who may be confused about the truth l explained above that I responded the way I did even though she could have used the same private channel Kofi courteously used in reaching out to her in 2015.
Discerning Ghanaians know we at IMANI have been fighting this government in the energy space. From the jocular and irresponsible handling of the AKER energy deal, the PDS debacle to chasing ECG, pursuing CWM matters, fighting over gas value chain issues (a la Genser), probing power tariff proposals, highlighting IPP debt buildup and many more. When we decide to join or organise street demonstrations over dumsor or any malignant political and economic issue, we will not be shy to at all.
As far as the unrelated matter of my tagging Kofi, Kofi’s association with IMANI and Bawumia goes, the matter is essentially settled. Kofi’s love, respect and support for Bawumia and any other candidate, as long as is done with decorum, tact and factual, does not, has never and will never represent IMANI.
Franklin Cudjoe,
IMANI
