Former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Authority (GNPC) , Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, says much as the particular university a flagbearer attended should not be a matter of concern to anyone, the flagrant attempt by some people to hide verifiable facts about the New Patriotic Party�s Nana Akufo-Addo�s educational background leaves much to be desired.
�The fact that there is such a categorical rejection about a truth of the person rather gives course of concern. It raises issues about integrity because there is no reason why on such a simple matter we cannot get the truth from the person himself,� Mr. Tsikata said.
He was addressing issues raised by the Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) about whether Nana Akufo-Addo�s attended the renowned Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
The Convener of the group, Felix Kwakye-Ofosu, says there is an attempt to keep under wraps the real reason why Nana Akfuo-Addo quit the Ivy League university.
According to Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, the NPP flagbearer has blotted out the period when he attended the Oxford University from his resume because questions are being raised as to whether he was kicked out for nonperformance or for misbehaving.
He questioned the basis of Nana Addo�s proclamation that he is not corrupt and will never be corrupt, when he has not made public the reason why he left the school of such high repute.
Much ado about nothing � Arthur Kennedy
The Campaign Manager of the NPP flagbearer in 2008, Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, however believes the focus on Nana Addo�s educational background is diversionary and dubious.
He said: �I think all these talk about which institution this person went [to] is a little bit of a red herring. There is nobody in Ghana who doubts the fact that Nana Akufo-Addo is a lawyer. He went to university, he went to law school; he is an accomplished lawyer.�
He argued: �I think we should focus this campaign on what people can do for the country rather than their problems. We should not waste time discussing the possible failures in an individual�s resume.�
Dr. Kennedy stated that the political parties must begin to examine the issues that matter to the common Ghanaian in every part of the country instead of the side issues.
Asked whether he could confirm whether Nana Addo went to Oxford University, Dr. Arthur Kennedy said �I do not know because I have not looked at his resume; but frankly, I think that it doesn�t make any difference to me and it shouldn�t make any difference to any Ghanaian.�
He said Nana Addo is qualified for the presidency and therefore people should not take heed to all the �unnecessary� issues. He said it is not exactly relevant for an individual to indicate in his resume that he went to an Ivy league university such as Oxford University, saying �let�s get serious.�
�Let�s move on to real issues. We like side issues, that is why our country is not moving forward,� he said, adding Nana Addo went through Parliament�s Appointment Committee before becoming a Minister in the erstwhile Kufuor administration and that should put the matter to rest.
Nana Addo�s Integrity at stake � Tsikata
But Mr. Tsikata, an alumnus of the Oxford University who completed a BCL Master degree (Law) in 1971 said Nana Addo must address the concerns raised immediately as it borders on integrity.
�Whether he went to Oxford or not may not itself be the main issue now but the issue of integrity as to why it is something that should be denied when it is a fact that is verifiable from the records of the university, I don�t understand that frankly. That is a puzzle to me.�
Asked if it was normal to leave out a fact such as attending a reputable school like the Oxford University, Mr. Tsikata said �of course it�s not normal. It�s not normal, why he would leave it out and I really cannot understand why.�
He said what even worsens the matter is the fact that some members of the NPP communication team are making categorical statements that Nana Addo did not attend the Oxford University. According to Mr. Tsikata, those making such statements are rather linking his father to the university, a situation he contends is impossible.
�The truth of the matter is that, in the period where for instance people have obtained, through the Freedom of Information Act confirmation that Nana Akufo-Addo was in Oxford, in that period his father was the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, so it�s not possible that it was his father about whom they are talking. It must be about him,� he argued.
He said Ghanaians must be concerned about the matter particularly if there is any indication that someone who wants to be president of the nation is covering up a truth about himself.
Source: radioxyzonline.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |