February 24, 2011

The Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South, Stephen Kweku Balado Manu, has described President Attah Mills’ invitation of ex-President Kufour to the Osu Castle as an act of populism which is meant to score cheap political points.

He said the President has become known over the years for doing such public stunts that paint him as a good person in the eyes of the public.

Prof. John Evans Attah Mills yesterday invited former President John Agyekum Kufour to the Osu Castle to engage in discussions on national and international issues. The two statesmen however kept the details of their discussion in confidence.

Speaking on e.tv Ghana’s Breakfast TV show, the Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South, Stephen Balado Manu, who sounded very passionate, said he would not have honored the invitation if he were President Kufour, after President Mills and his government had treated him with contempt as they have refused to comply with the constitutional provision for ex-Presidents.

‘’ Where was President Mills expecting ex-President Kufour to come to the meeting from? When they have not provided him with a house, which car was he to travel on, when he (President Mills) has not given him any’’, he said.

‘’ How long did it take the then President Kufour to provide President Rawlings with a state building, it just took exchanges of letters and that was settled. It has taken Prof. Mills two years and more and still he has not paid ex-President Kufour’s ex-gratia and other entitlements due him, and Prof. Mills wants to pretend he likes him and has invited him to the castle’’, he asked.

Hon. Balado Manu urged President Mills who is a law Professor to demonstrate good faith by complying with constitutional requirement for ex-President, and not engage in such needless face saving exercise like he has just done.

Story by: Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh