It appears the video purporting to show the Director of State Protocol, Hassan Ahmed, breaching protocol and subsequently being snubbed by the Governor of the US state of Nevada was misinterpreted by the public.
The assistant to the Director of State Protocol at the Presidency, Joseph Adjei-Banin, has urged the public to ignore “the false suggestion being peddled as a result of a skewed interpretation of what transpired in the video.”
In a statement, Mr. Adjei Banin asserted that Hassan Ahmed “is a well accomplished and meticulous diplomat, who is well versed in protocol.”
A video making rounds on social media from the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting over the weekend, where President Akufo-Addo delivered the keynote address, created the impression that Hassan Ahmed had violated protocol, leading to the snub.
After President Nana Akufo-Addo had been called up to deliver his address, Hassan Ahmed, who was ushering the President onto the stage, extended his hand towards the Governor.
Hassan Ahmed extending his hand was viewed as him preparing for a handshake with the Nevada Governor, Brian Sandoval, by many with the governor’s failure to reciprocate the gesture interpreted as a deliberate snub.
But the statement clarified that “As part of the protocol discussions prior to the President’s speech, it was agreed that Ambassador Hassan will accompany the President on stage to show the President his seat. That is exactly what Ambassador Hassan was doing and not reaching for a handshake. A critical look at the video will show that Ambassador Hassan was pointing to the seat where the President was supposed to sit.”
Find below the full statement
Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media purporting that the Director of State Protocol, Ambassador Ahmed Hassan, was denied a handshake by Governor Brian Sandoval of Nevada, and further that Governor Sandoval instructed Ambassador Hassan to resume his seat in the audience, at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting over the weekend.
The suggestions and interpretations given to this video is misleading and completely false. As part of the protocol discussions prior to the President’s speech, it was agreed that Ambassador Hassan will accompany the President on stage to show the President his seat. That is exactly what Ambassador Hassan was doing and not reaching for a handshake. A critical look at the video will show that Ambassador Hassan was pointing to the seat where the President was supposed to sit.
After the President shook the hands of Governor Sandoval, there was a debate as to whether the President should sit or go straight away to deliver his keynote address. What ensued was Governor Sandoval pointing to the podium for the President to deliver the speech because they were running behind schedule whilst Ambassador pointed to the seat of the President because that was the agreement at the pre-event protocol discussion. The Governor was not directing Ambassador Hassan to resume his seat.
Ambassador Hassan is a well accomplished and meticulous diplomat, who is well versed in protocol. We, therefore, entreat the public to disregard the false suggestion being peddled as a result of a skewed interpretation of what transpired in the video.
Thank you.
Signed:
Joseph Adjei-Banin
Assistant to Director of State Protocol
Office of the President
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So the man blundered,so he was snubbed,So what?Tell me how does that insignificant little piece of drama in far way America affect your miserable life in Sukura or Dansoman?People of Ghana be wise OOOO. John Mahama in a short time became a dollar millionaire when he is neither a businessman nor a drug dealer .What this means my feeble minded friends is that you will drive on roads with pot holes the size of a creator .What that means is that the poor cedi will continue to be valueless.What that means is that people in the North will share the same drinking water hole with their cattle. All that is left is for them to greet their animals as they both drink from the watering hole filled with filthy water.Don't we have any sense at all?We fixate on inconsequential things and allow the politicians to laugh all the way to their banks in Switzerland and the Canary Islands. The youth of Ghana be wise ooo. Sit up and make the politician do the right thing.Stop your n0ns3nse on social media and put your feet on terra firma.
Do you take us for ***barred word***? please come again. The incompetence and confused NPP administration is soo sickening and they are naked but they think they have the nicest cloths. When citizens are being robbed day and night this is not what we need . we need protection
lol!! incompetent NPP gov!! are these the men???
Hello Sir, come again please? What do you take us for? Everything is clear in the video and you are telling us to ignore the truth? We are wise enough to see the truth in the case. Your boss messed up and you are here telling lies for us to believe you. Enough of the childish acts Mr. Assistant to Director of State Protocol.
Bring back the tape for all to watch a m take a decision.
This guy is the biggest fooo..l I've heard of in a while. This is the attitude and character you guys run Ghana with thats why we are 1000 years behind the white in terms of development. Where in the world will a leader be introduced to give a speech for him to only climb the stage to sit down? This explanation is just stupiidd and unnecessary. You guys should learn how protocol works. You don't lead a president to a stage to give a speech!!!
Is this a joke? We have seen the video and your assertion is a total lie. Don't try to whitewash this blunder