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Having been patting himself on the shoulder for ending the successive reign of the “Johns” in Ghanaian politics, President Akufo-Addo is priding himself as setting the stage for ‘Historians’ to also take over the mantle of leadership of the country.
Obviously, mimicking former President John Dramani Mahama’s constants reference to his shrewdness in history, President Akufo-Addo recently stunned his book launch audience when he announced that he is also a “historian” who has got hold of the keys to the Flag Staff House.
President Akufo-Addo, who has since his swearing-in resorted to the wearing of African wear, a trademark of his predecessor, John Mahama, signaled he may have not only broken the myth surrounding the “Johns” association with Ghana’s presidency, but also, to show that it is now the turn of historians taking over the mantle of leadership of the country.
Speaking at the launching of the book, “Ghana’s Pride and Glory” authored by Lawyer Aidoohene Chinbuah, President Akufo-Addo surprised his audience when he majestically stated “as you all know, I’m somewhat of a historian myself.”
Clearly, drawing on how he was jabbed for adulterating Ghana’s history in his speech to mark Ghana’s 60 independence anniversary at the Black Star Square, the former Abuakwa South lawmaker-turned-President, said “to the extent to which a person who’s every pronouncement on our history provokes passionate controversy – can be said to be a historian.”
Revealing how he much relishes controversy, President Akufo-Addo explained; “controversy and passion are illuminating; they are lights on the path for the truth and that has to be the goal.”
This was the first time President Akufo-Addo has openly admitted his proclivity to controversy.
Virtually responding to critics that, he skewed his first Independence Day speech by extolling the virtues of his kinsmen, the president said he has always sparked controversy in the country with his public pronouncements because he is not a “dull politician”.
“This has been a very strange week. On Monday, I made a speech to the country which I tried to speak about how we became Ghana. And like everything I say, it’s ended up in controversy. But that is how it should be. A politician who doesn’t generate controversy is a dull politician,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo made history last December when he convincingly defeated John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress who was seeking his second term in office.
He thus became; the first “non-John” to climb to the presidency after all four past Presidents in the Fourth Republic bears the name “John”.
Before Nana Akufo-Addo’s victory, Ghanaians lived with the myth that only a “John” can become President of Ghana.
This myth was consolidated when Mr John Mahama succeeded late President John Mills who died in office and eventually won the 2012 elections. Before President John Mills was President John Kufuor who also took over from President John Rawlings
Aside bearing the name “John”, ex-President Mahama variously touted himself as a “student of history” who had ascended to the highest office in Ghana.
Drawing inspiration from this statement, President William Akufo-Addo, not bearing the name “John”, said he is also a “historian” like his predecessor who became President.
Source: alhajjnewspaper.com
