Akwasi Addai Odike, Founder of the United Progressive Party (UPP), has said President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo does not appreciate the true tenets of democracy.
According to him, there are only two things the President understands in a democratic rule, which is elections and swearing-in of a president.
His comments come on the back of President Akufo-Addo’s insistence to use tax payers’ money to build a cathedral at the expense of other pertinent needs of the citizenry.
Based on that, the businessman cum politician says he doubts the President’s qualification as lawyer, considering how he is bereft of the ideals of rule of law. He says a lawyer who understands the rule of law will not commit state resources into projects such as the rule of law which most Ghanaians kicked against.
Odike was reacting to the President’s statement at the swearing-in of the 22 newly appointed ministers, that, he (Akufo-Addo) has served Ghanaians well. In his words, President Akufo-Addo said “I have not betrayed the mandate the good people of Ghana conferred in me.”
But reacting to the issue, the UPP founder said he the President cannot perform outside the demands of the people and still claim to have served creditably. He says if he really understands the rule of law, he would have considered the concerns of Ghanaians instead of championing his personal agenda.
Speaking with Yaa Titi Okrah on Onua FM’s afternoon political show, Pae Mu Ka Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Mr. Odike said the President’s deeds are parallel to that of an astute lawyer.
“Akufo-Addo does not understand democracy. He only knows elections and swearing-in a President, apart from those, there is nothing in democracy he understands. I challenge Akufo-Addo that his law school is questionable. There is nothing Akufo-Addo is doing that shows he is an astute lawyer that understands the dispensation of democracy,” he stated in Twi.
Odike also lashed out at the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaba Torkornoo, for lauding the President as an astute lawyer and someone who has upheld the rule of law in his administration.
Akufo-Addo is a living example of rule of law – Chief Justice Torkornoo
Reacting to the issue, he said Akufo-Addo’s administration is 20 times worse than any military dictatorship, and the Chief Justice is only giving him that praise because she was appointed the Head of the Judiciary by the President.
“He who feeds you controls your mind. Akufo-Addo has given her employment so she doesn’t think about Ghanaians. Does Akufo-Addo even understand the rule of law? Is it not Akufo-Addo that uses tax payers’ money to build a cathedral even with our opposition to it? Which Military Leader did that? Akufo-Addo’s administration is 20 times worse than military rule,” he lamented.
Akufo-Addo’s tenure has been a disaster and Mahama is not an alternative – Odike
