Dr. Afriyie Akoto Had No Meeting To Announce Presidential Bid Nor Incite Supporters Against The President – Press Secretary
The Press Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Issah Alhassan Ridwan has shot down reports of Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto holding a meeting at Tamale in the Northern Region to announce his presidential bid.
He explained that the Hon. Minister neither incited the President nor Government against supporters of the party.
Below is the full release sighted by Wontumionline.com
RE: BOMBSHELL: DR. AFRIYIE AKOTO CAUGHT ON TAPE INCITING PARTY SUPPORTERS AGAINST GOVERNMENT IN TAMALE
My attention has been drawn to an article attached to an audio which is being circulated on some social media platforms about a meeting the Honourable Minister for Food and Agriculture had with some party faithful in the northern regional capital, Tamale, on Sunday.
Clearly, the said article has been skewed sadly by detractors, for reasons best known to them, to incite the President and the entire Government against him.
*This wicked and cowardice approach is not surprising to us because they have consistently applied such modus operandi, ostensibly to tarnish his image and incite hatred for him.
It would be recalled that similar wicked plan was hatched against him in February this year when some party faithful paid a visit to him in Kumasi.
*The narrative in the article is entirely different from what is contained on the tape being circulated, even though doctored.
The fact is that the Honourable Minister never organized a meeting to announce his presidential bid neither did he incite the President or the Government against supporters of the party as being alleged.
The Minister is in the 5 northern regions to interact with farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural industry.
As a senior member of government, he responded to a request by some party members to discuss the progress of our dear party
It is instructive to note that this is something he has been doing since 2017 upon assumption of office as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
I have always used such opportunities to encourage party members to continue to work and support the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, in propagating the successes and achievements.
FACTS
During his interactions with the party members, they expressed their reservations on the neglection of the grassroots which they believe contributed to the outcome of the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.
In such emotional scene, he could not help but empathize with them and pleaded with them not to be despaired but continue to keep faith with the leadership of His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whom he praised highly for being the reason the NPP is still surviving.
As a senior member of this government, he also accepted part of the blame and promised to convey such grievances to the appropriate leadership for actions to be taken.
I do not see how this can be interpreted as a revolt or an incitement against the President or the government.
I would like to repeat for emphasis that the article being circulated is a calculated attempt by his political detractors to tarnish his hard won reputation and scandalize him in the eyes of the party.
I would therefore urge people to treat such actions with all the contempt and disdain it deserves.
I want to reiterate his continuous commitment and support to the President, the Government and the party at large in ensuring that the vision and objectives of the President is achieved.
Signed
Press Secretary
Issah Alhassan Ridwan.
0208602970