The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin has countered accusations from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama, who claimed that President Akufo-Addo failed to condemn election-related deaths during the December 2020 elections.
In response to Mahama’s allegations on January 7, Mr. Arhin took to Facebook, sharing a video clip from President Akufo-Addo’s victory speech on December 9, 2020, delivered at his residence in Nima, Accra.
In the video, the President condemned the incidents that resulted in the deaths of eight individuals during the general election.
“I condemn in no uncertain terms the isolated incidents of post-electoral violence in Odododiodioo and Techiman that led to a few regrettable deaths. May their souls rest in peace. We must work to avoid the repetition of such events in the future,” President Akufo-Addo stated in the video.
Mr. Arhin thus emphasised what he deemed as the falsehood of Mahama’s claim that President Akufo-Addo “has not uttered even a word of sympathy to the bereaved families,” pointing to the President’s condemnation in the victory speech.
He urged Mahama to acknowledge the factual information and extend congratulations to President Akufo-Addo for his victory in the 2020 elections.
“Former President Mahama’s claims that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo “has not uttered even a word of sympathy to the bereaved families” is simply not true. He should, therefore, do the needful and congratulate President Akufo-Addo on his victory in 2020,” he posted.
Mr Mahama made these allegations in a statement issued on January 7, 2024, during the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Fourth Republican Constitution of Ghana.
In his statement, he criticised the government for actions undermining democratic rights and highlighted the loss of eight lives during the 2020 elections, claiming that President Akufo-Addo had not expressed sympathy to the bereaved families.
