President Akufo-Addo with Vice President raising their glasses to a toast
One would have thought that on the occasion of his birthday, the President of the Republic would throw a lavish birthday party and feast with friends and family.
That was, however, not the case when President Akufo-Addo turned 73 yesterday.
Instead, he threw a surprise party for staff of the Presidency on the occasion of his birthday, with no family member in attendance.
President Akufo-Addo on a dance floor with Abu Jinapor
It was but a modest celebration with an open buffet and the serving of soft drinks.
The decision stemmed from the fact that he has not had time to meet and interact with staff at the place since he moved in three months ago.
“It’s a really big gap in my tenancy here; I have not had the chance to fellowship with the other co-workers because of the nature of events that has taken place since I walked in here on the 9th of January,” he stated with regret.
He, therefore, used the occasion to formally introduce him to the staff and have them celebrate the day with him.
The party which was organised at the Banquet Hall of the Flagstaff House saw many, including some government and party officials as Council of Elders, C.K Tedam, acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and General Secretary, Freddie Blay and John Boadu in attendance.
Freddie Blay ,ag chairman of NPP and Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation
Earlier in the morning, the president said he had a rather morose expression on his face when he woke up and that when one of his daughters, Dokua, asked him what the problem was, he told her, “I don’t know but I’m not so keen on celebrating 73 years old.”
But the daughter, as he said, responded, “No daddy you are wrong; it’s yet another life, another year given to you by grace so we should be thankful and be glad in it.”
He then could not but admitted, “I think she has the right attitude; I am thankful and I’m glad in it”, whilst expressing profound gratitude to all in attendance.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia extolled the president’s virtue, saying, “I am so honoured to be working with such a boss; he has set very high goals for all of us and I believe that as you saw what was in the ‘asempa’ budget which represents his vision… I believe that by the end of his first term, Insha Allah, this will turn out with the support of everybody to be one of the most successful if not the successful governments under the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
After the expression of good wishes, the president was supported assisted by his vice, the chief of staff and four other staff of the Presidency, including a steward, head of the estate and communications departments and the secretary to cabinet.
President Akufo-Addo cutting a cake with Vice President and members of Staff
After his, they all danced to good rendition of songs provided by the glorious Harmonious Chorale, which has Madam Joyce Aryee of Salt and Light Ministry fame as its executive director.
The staff of the Flagstaff House and a number of people, including a former Defence Minister in the previous Kufuor-led NPP administration, presented him with a parcel.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent