President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has responded to a document circulating on social media. The document alleges a scheme by certain individuals within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to take control of state assets. It features the Okyenhene’s photograph on the cover and claims that individuals from the Akyem area are planning to annex state assets.
Commenting on it, President Akufo-Addo described it as a fabrication and a baseless accusation and said it was another example of the malicious tactics used by his opponents to undermine his credibility, integrity and political career. President Akufo-Addo who was speaking at the Ghana Report Summit in Accra on Thursday (August 1, 2024) said that the fabricated document had been circulated by opposition operatives as evidence of the supposed plans of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The Ghana Report Summit was on the theme; “Dealing with misinformation and disinformation – Election 2024.”
Grand scheme
The “Agyapadie” document alleges a grand scheme by the NPP and some people from Akyem to annexe state assets and President Akufo-Addo said the “Agyapadie” document serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some would go to undermine political opponents. As Ghana prepared for the 2024 general elections, he said, it was imperative to address these challenges head-on.
“By working together with government, media, civil society and the public, Ghana can create an environment where truth prevails, and its democracy thrives,” he stated.
Focusing on the “Agyapadie” document, which first surfaced in the run-up to the 2020 elections, President Akufo-Addo said, that the political career of former President Kufuor had been fraught with similar false accusations, dating back to the 2008 presidential election. During that campaign, he said, baseless allegations of drug trafficking were spread to tarnish his image while rumours about his health were also circulated to cast doubt on his ability to serve as President.
He added that in an “egregious lie” they accused President John Agyekum Kufuor of selling all the gold reserves of the country.
President Akufo-Addo said his opponents in the 2012 election continued with the tactics of false reports of his alleged arrest in London for drug possession as well as the dissemination of fabricated quotes designed to stir ethnic tensions and aimed at dividing the electorate. In 2016, he said his opponents stooped to a new low and again alleged that Akufo-Addo had killed his late wife, a claim he described as not only false but deeply offensive.
Elections 2024
As the 2024 general elections approach, President Akufo-Addo said, the “Agyapadie” document was the latest in a series of lies aimed at discrediting him and the NPP. He said the fictitious narrative, like the ones before the “Agyapadie” document, highlights the importance of discerning truth from falsehood and remaining vigilant against the dangers of misinformation and disinformation.
He, therefore, emphasised that combating misinformation and disinformation required a multi-faceted approach and the strengthening of regulatory frameworks to hold individuals and organisations accountable for spreading false information.
He further stressed the need for collaborations with technology companies to develop mechanisms for monitoring and curbing the spread of false information on digital platforms.
Political actors
He also called on all political actors to commit to truthfulness and transparency in their campaigns saying the spread of false information for political gain undermined the democratic process and eroded public trust. To that end, he said, political parties and candidates must engage in constructive dialogue and present their ideas and policies to the electorate in a truthful and respectful manner.