President Akufo-Addo presenting a prize to the overall Best graduate student of the 2017/2018 academic year
President Akufo-Addo on Saturday took a swipe at the presidential aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama, indicating that he does not respond to mere presidential aspirants who do not know their fate.
“I am sure you have seen and heard some of the presidential aspirants of the leading opposition party taking jabs at my government in order, ostensibly, to prop up their campaigns. And whilst at it, they are desperately trying to get me to respond to them.
“Let me state here and now for the record that President Akufo-Addo will not respond to presidential aspirants,” he sarcastically stated on Saturday during the 25th anniversary of the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.
Ahead of the 2016 elections, Mr. Mahama arrogantly stated that he would not accept criticisms from people who have never been president after the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) had called him “incompetent.”
According to President Akufo-Addo, apart from the citizenry, he would only respond to potential presidents who have been given the mandate of their respective parties to become the forerunners and flagbearers.
President Akufo-Addo made the disclosure after several failed attempts by the opposition NDC to engage him in discussions of some national issues for political gain.
He stated that although it’s healthy to discuss national issues, it’s a failed venture when clueless and visionless leaders, who have no foresight and better appreciation of the issues confronting the nation, try to jab the government to, ostensibly, prop up their campaigns.
“I will respond to presidential candidates that have been duly elected by their parties, then will I engage those who still think Ghanaians have short memories,” he said.
It is noteworthy that the former president has been criticizing the policies of the Akufo-Addo administration on several platforms in recent times.
He described the NPP government as ‘super incompetent’, adding that the NDC is the only party that has ever had Ghanaians at heart.
Former President John Mahama condemned the Free SHS policy introduced by the Akufo-Addo government during his campaign tour.
He indicated that if given the nod, he would scrap the policy and set a time for it to be re-introduced.
From Eric Kombat, Dungu