Ayisi Boateng received widespread criticism for stating that his first priority is to members of the NPP, and that if he had his own way, members of the party’s Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network (TESCON), will be prioritized for various job opportunities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”eGVcbaYNDktj9tfxBHYpTbttUqKJLMG3″]He added that, he views NPP members as more Ghanaian than others, comments which have attracted public scorn.

Despite the pressure on him to retract his comments or resign from his position, Ayisi Boateng initially reiterated his sentiments,  stating in a radio interview that, “when you have a large family but you first make your wife and children, eat first before others, what is wrong with that?”

He, however, eventually gave in to the public pressure, issuing a statement in which he retracted his comments and apologized to Ghanaians after a meeting at the Flagstaff House.

But President Mahama, speaking at a Unity Walk organised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Regional capital Cape Coast, said that the President has failed to show leadership fornot dismissing Ayisi Boateng immediately for his comments.

According to him, the comments made by the country’s chief representative in South Africa were unworthy of a person in his position.

“The President seems unable to take firm action in anything. When I talk about the President not putting his foot down, we have a constitution and the constitution is the supreme law of the land. If you are a party officer, you can say whatever you want, there is no problem,” he said.

“You can say all jobs should go to NDC people before it goes to NPP people, if you are Allotey Jacobs. The government doesn’t pay you, taxpayers don’t pay you and you haven’t sworn an oath to anybody. But [not] when you are appointed as a High Commissioner and you swear an oath to the constitution of Ghana which says there shall be no discrimination and you shall do justice to all manner of persons.”

The former President criticized his successor for not showing his commitment to the promises he made to Ghanaians, to ensure opportunities for everyone devoid of political bias.

“When they [NPP] were looking for your votes, President Akufo-Addo said they shall open the opportunities of this country to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their party or ethnic affiliations. He came to power and now that the pigs are enjoying, they say some Ghanaians are more Ghanaian than others. For something like this, you don’t call the person to the Flagstaff House, draft an apology letter for him and ask him to sign. You sack him at once.”

Apology was written for him to sign – Mahama

Ayisi Boateng stated in his apology that, “I  regret the effect of my speech delivered to the young party members which has generated public outcry. I, therefore wish to retract my comments and render an unqualified apology to the presidency and all Ghanaians.”

John Mahama berated the diplomat for his apology, suggesting that it wasn’t sincere and had not even been written by him.

“If you read the apology letter, it’s an apology of an apology letter.  He said he apologized for the effect of his words, not his words, just the effect. That is the new government under which we are.”

–

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ayisi Boateng should’ve been sacked immediately – Mahama appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to them, although they believe Mr. Ayisi Boateng may subconsciously prioritize members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in his dealings as he pledged, they are ready to meet with him and reach a compromise on how he can work fairly with them.

[contextly_sidebar id=”L7jFMM4j2ue8taR4r47y9vVzgUIecuiI”]The President of the Association, Mr. E.K Ayayee, in an interview on Eyewitness News from South Africa on Thursday, called on Ghanaians to accept Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s apology.

George Ayisi Boateng came under serious public criticism after declaring that he prioritized members of the NPP in his dealings because he believed they were “more Ghanaian than others.”

He made the statement in an interaction with members of the tertiary education wing of the NPP, Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON), in Kumasi over the weekend.

In his address, he said, “this government is doing its best to create job opportunities and me for instance, I told my people over there [that], it is because of NPP that I’m here, so the NPP man is my priority. I told them when NDC was in power it was Kwesi Ahwoi who was there, now we are in power, so Ayisi-Boateng is here with you. My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it.”

“Indeed I’m not boasting, but I’ve started meeting the NPP groups. Every weekend I meet some group members and I tell you if I had my way, every job opportunity that will come will go to a TESCON member before any other person. And I know my colleague appointees also have the same feeling except that because of IMF we cannot do anything now…,”he added.

Many chided him for the unpalatable words, but he defended his statement in a subsequent radio interview, using the analogy that he had to feed his wife and children first before feeding others.

The Minority in Parliament and many other groups called on President Akufo-Addo to sack Mr. Ayisi Boateng from his post, due to the “reprehensible” nature of his comment.

Mr. Ayisi Boateng however in a letter on Wednesday, apologized to the president, Nana Akufo-Addo and Ghanaians for the negative effects his comment had caused.

This was after he had been called into a meeting at the Flagstaff House.

Although some Ghanaians have said the apology is not enough and called on the government to act firmly against the High Commissioner by dismissing him, the Ghanaian community in South Africa believes the apology is enough.

Mr. E.K Ayayee told Richard Sky on Eyewitness News that, “We wonder why it took him so long for a sober reflection; nevertheless we realize that to err is human, and that is why we want to accept his apology. We realized that he has perhaps won the hearts of people that is why he was put here in the first place; but was not schooled enough on his responsibilities that is why he goofed. But now he may be able to come back well prepared for the position…. There is a possibility, subconsciously [to be divisive], he may still be having that, but we intend to have audience with him and trash out the differences and move on.”

Ayisi Boateng must resign – Minority insists

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament is maintaining its stance that Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, George Ayisi Boateng, should resign for pledging to prioritize New Patriotic Party (NPP) members in the execution of his mandate.

The Minority in a statement indicated that, Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s apology will not suffice since he initially “treated with contempt our [Ghanaians] demand of him to retract and apologize for his unconscionable, bigoted and unconstitutional remarks.”

–
By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Unrepentant’ Ayisi Boateng is forgiven – Ghanaians in SA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“I find it curious that the youth who have a bigger stake in the future of this country by virtue of their age and stage in life are the ones who are most vociferously defending this line of thinking. It is your own graves you’re digging with this sort of facile ideology,” he said in a Facebook post.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5K7lLrLiLl6tpUdOURsuiNqn88jUVS7O”]The Professor of Law’s comment adds to the many expressed by Ghanaians following the diplomat’s controversial statement over the weekend.

Mr. Ayisi Boateng whilst addressing some party youth at the Kumasi Technical University over the weekend, said he has resolved to prioritize members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in his dealings.

He said although he was to treat all Ghanaians fairly, he believes NPP members are more Ghanaian than others.

“This government is doing its best to create job opportunities and me for instance, I told my people over there [that], it is because of NPP that I’m here, so the NPP man is my priority. I told them when NDC was in power it was Kwesi Ahwoi who was there, now we are in power, so Ayisi-Boateng is here with you. My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it.”

Despite the widespread condemnation of the statement deemed divisive and irresponsible, some loyalists of the NPP are justifying Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s comment.

They claim his comment was only a reiteration of an already existing culture in governance, and Mr. Ayisi Boateng must be commended for his frankness.

But Kwasi Prempeh disagrees.

“If I told you that, people get into politics to enrich themselves, so I intend to use whatever position I secure in politics to enrich myself, would my declaration be excusable or justifiable because I was merely stating a sad fact of Ghanaian political life? What sort of logic is that?” he quizzed in a Facebook post on the matter.

Read H Kwasi Prempeh’s full post below:

If the NPP had told Ghanaians openly during the 2016 election campaign that, if elected, the Party will prioritize and cater for the employment and material needs of Party faithful above all other Ghanaians and considerations, would it have won the 2016 elections? Such a statement would have spelt electoral doom for the party.

Thankfully and wisely, the NPP and then-Candidate Akufo Addo/Bawumia did not campaign on any such promise. They know better! They campaigned instead, and appropriately so, on a promise of Creating Jobs and Prosperity for All. That is the contract the NPP made with Ghanaians.

And it is on the basis of that contract that one must judge the wisdom or unwisdom of the controversial statement made by Ambassador Ayisi Boateng. Saying that he’s merely stating a political fact misses the point. He was doing far more than that. If I told you that, people get into politics to enrich themselves, so I intend to use whatever position I secure in politics to enrich myself, would my declaration be excusable or justifiable because I was merely stating a sad fact of Ghanaian political life? What sort of logic is that?

I find it curious that the youth who have a bigger stake in the future of this country by virtue of their age and stage in life are the ones who are most vociferously defending this line of thinking. It is your own graves you’re digging with this sort of facile ideology.

No government, no matter how profligate or reckless in its fiscal management, can build a public sector large enough to create a job for every party faithful. Nor can the economy withstand such reckless politics. Politicians who make a contrary promise are simply being dishonest. And you must be smart enough to know that.

The solution to the tough problem of youth and graduate unemployment does not lie in finding a job in the public services for every TESCON or DELTA FORCE member. It’s just not feasible; it won’t happen. (Besides, not every party faithful belongs or must belong to TESCON or any of the various clubs within the party). What we can and must do, however, is hold government to its promise and duty to create, through smart policies, programs, investments, incentives, and disciplined and judicious management of this nation’s wealth, an expanding economy and private sector that, in turn, creates job, training, and entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth and new graduates.

This is the only sustainable path. It is the most the politicians can do, if they would be honest with you. But unless we hold them to that promise and measure progress toward that goal, they will take the line of least resistance, which is to find plum and not-so-plum public sector jobs for just a few of you and string the rest along until another election is due. Let’s be realistic–and discerning

Ayisi’s comment suicidal; Nana Addo must act now – Minority
The Minority in Parliament has turned the heat on President Nana Akufo-Addo to break his silence over the widely condemned partisan comment made by Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ayisi Boateng.

According to the Minority, turning a blind eye on the issue will mean that Akufo-Addo endorses such comments which have been described as “bigotry.”

Ayisi Boateng’s partisan comment ‘senseless’ – K.B. Asante

Retired diplomat and once secretary to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, K.B. Asante, has said the pledge by Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, George Ayisi Boateng, to prioritize the welfare of New Patriotic Party members in his dealings “doesn’t make sense”.

Comments like that put the country on the verge of “rot”, he asserted on the Citi Breakfast Show.

–
By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Youth supporting Ayisi Boateng ‘digging own graves’ – Lawyer appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s comment has been widely criticized with many calling on the President to sack him with immediate effect.

OccupyGhana in a statement also urged the government to publicly denounce the statement and dissociate itself from it.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ppGxFSQWAllL5r8bcELrKRjZBKfQ6dG5″]“We demand from Mr. Ayisi Boateng an unqualified apology to the people of Ghana for both his appalling initial comments and his subsequent statement expressing lack of remorse. We call on the NPP and the government to denounce the statement and demand a full retraction and apology,” the statement said.

OccupyGhana said the President should sack the diplomat immediately if he refuses to apologize.

“If he should fail or refuse to do that, then we respectfully and humbly call on the President to remove Mr. Ayisi Boateng from office as High Commissioner.”

Mr. Ayisi Boateng has been in the news for saying that his first priority is to members of the NPP, and that if he had his own way, members of the party’s Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network (TESCON) will be prioritized for various jobs.

“…this government is doing its best to create job opportunities and me for instance, I told my people over there [that], it is because of NPP that I’m here, so the NPP man is my priority. I told them when NDC was in power it was Kwesi Ahwoi who was there, now we are in power, so Ayisi-Boateng is here with you. My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it,” he said.

OccupyGhana said “we cannot condone such statements, and we condemn them in no uncertain terms as unbefitting of an envoy and holder of a high privileged diplomatic office.”

“We also condemn the statement made by the acting NPP Chairman, Mr. Freddie Blay, that suggested support for Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s position.

Below is the full statement from OccupyGhana:

1st  NOVEMBER 2017

OCCUPYGHANA® PRESS STATEMENT

OCCUPYGHANA® DEMANDS AN UNQUALIFIED APOLOGY FROM MR. GEORGE AYISI BOATENG OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE HIS REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

OccupyGhana® is disgusted and appalled by High Commissioner George Ayisi Boateng’s discriminatory comments that pitched partisan  interests above those of other Ghanaians. We are even more shocked by his unrepentant expression of lack of remorse in the face of the massive expressions of disappointment at his divisive comments.

We do not have to remind the High Commissioner that as a public officer of his standing, he is required to speak both with honour and from a patriotic disposition. He has failed in this regard.

We do not have to remind the High Commissioner that he must operate above party cronyism and the prioritization of partisan interests above the supreme interests of the Ghanaian people. He has failed in this regard.

We do not have to remind the High Commissioner that his comments run counter to the theme of his own party’s Manifesto: “An Agenda for Change. Creating Prosperity & Equal Opportunities for All.” He has failed in this regard too.

We cannot condone such statements, and we condemn them in no uncertain terms as unbefitting of an envoy and holder of a high privileged diplomatic office.

We also condemn the statement made by the Acting NPP Chairman, Mr. Freddie Blay that suggested support for Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s position.

We demand from Mr. Ayisi Boateng an unqualified apology to the people of Ghana for both his appalling initial comments and his subsequent statement expressing lack of remorse. We call on the NPP and the government to denounce the statement and demand a full retraction and apology.

If he should fail or refuse to do that, then we respectfully and humbly call on the President to remove Mr Ayisi Boateng from office as High Commissioner.

Yours, for God & Country,

OccupyGhana®

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Ayisi Boateng must apologize or be sacked – OccupyGhana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Minority, turning a blind eye on the issue will mean that Akufo-Addo endorses such comments which have been described as “bigotry.”

The diplomat, while addressing members of the Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network  (TESCON) in the Ashanti Region over the weekend, said his first priority is to members of the party, and that if he had his own way, members of TESCON will be prioritized for various jobs.

[contextly_sidebar id=”WOwRPmSAZ1zF4NFSXGfccfB4EnzotbRS”]Mr. Boateng said he considers NPP members as more Ghanaian than others.

“…this government is doing its best to create job opportunities and me for instance, I told my people over there [that], it is because of NPP that I’m here, so the NPP man is my priority. I told them when NDC was in power it was Kwesi Ahwoi who was there, now we are in power, so Ayisi-Boateng is here with you. My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it,” he said.

The Minority in a statement said: “While Ayisi Boateng’s apparent suicidal mission in the face of overwhelming condemnation by decent minded Ghanaians has made him the ‘Chemical Ali’ of Ghana’s Diplomatic Service, the Minority in Parliament like most Ghanaians believe the ball is now squarely in the court of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to show this dangerous envoy the exit.”

The statement signed by its Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, further said “The loud silence of Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and the Government led by President Akufo-Addo especially in the face of some reprehensible support from sections of the NPP led by its Acting Chairman Freddie Blay, is most troubling as it has the tendency to convey a tacit approval of the egregious sins of their chief diplomat in South Africa.”

The Minority further described Mr. Ayisi’s comments as “suicidal,” disgraceful and must be sacked immediately.

“It is generally understood that anything short of giving the disgraced High Commissioner to South Africa the sack by President Akufo-Addo can only mean that the President endorses his deplorable statements and perhaps explains Ayisi Boateng’s continuous show of rare spiteful bravado.”

The Minority in the statement also vowed to use every means possible to have their demands met.

“We will not relent in demanding action on this matter. We have considered our options under the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament, and can indicate our readiness to trigger further processes if Government inertia continues,” the statement added.

Below is the full statement:

PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO MUST ACT NOW

The Minority in Parliament has taken judicial notice of the rather defiant, intransigent, stubborn, obstinate, obdurate, adamant, stiff-necked and unremorseful posture of Ghana’s disgraced High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. George Ayisi Boateng.

While Ayisi Boateng’s apparent suicidal mission in the face of overwhelming condemnation by decent minded Ghanaians has made him the “Chemical Ali” of Ghana’s Diplomatic Service, the Minority in Parliament like most Ghanaians believe the ball is now squarely in the court of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to show this dangerous envoy the exit.

For a country that is famed for producing internationally celebrated and distinguished diplomats of the highest caliber in the persons of H.E. Kofi Annan, Dr. Alex Quaison-Sackey, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambers, Mr. Alex Quartey, just to mention a few.

It surely must be an affront of monumental proportions to keep Ayisi Boateng in this reputable league of diplomats for an extra minute.

It is generally understood that anything short of giving the disgraced High Commissioner to South Africa the sack by President Akufo-Addo can only mean that the President endorses his deplorable statements and perhaps explains Ayisi Boateng’s continuous show of rare spiteful bravado.

Thus far, the loud silence of Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and the Government led by President Akufo-Addo especially in the face of some reprehensible support from sections of the NPP led by its Acting Chairman Freddie Blay is most troubling as it has the tendency to convey a tacit approval of the egregious sins of their chief diplomat in South Africa.

Ghanaians have heard enough from virtually everyone including former Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors who have lined up to condemn Ayisi Boateng and attempt to salvage what is left of the hitherto enviable reputation of Ghana’s diplomatic service.  However, the time to hear from current officialdom is NOW.

The Minority will not relent in demanding action on this matter. We have considered our options under the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament and can indicate our readiness to trigger further processes if Government inertia continues.

A clear message ought to be sent to public officials that Article 17 of the Constitution of Ghana which forbids discrimination must be respected and that people with the Ayisi Boateng mindset which suggests some Ghanaians are more Ghanaian than the rest of us will have no hiding place to nurture their bigotry and prejudice.

Signed,

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

MP, North Tongu

Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Ayisi’s comment suicidal; Nana Addo must act now – Minority appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s resolve to put NPP members first came  to the fore during a meeting with the party’s Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network (TESCON) in Kumasi.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ibQGKpGOEaHV3qidpn92N4LPoA2N4d4v”]The comments have been met with outrage and calls for his dismissal from some sections of the public. But Mr. Blay, who said he had not heard the comments yet, said the missions obviously viewed all Ghanaians as equal.

In his brief comments on the matter, the NPP chairman said, “assuming that is what is said, maybe he is speaking within a context. Definitely, Missions are established not to serve partisan interests but to serve the interests of this country and the people of Ghana generally.”

Ayisi defends comments

But Mr. Ayisi Boateng seems to be clear about what he said, insisting that there was nothing wrong with putting his party people first, who he described as “more Ghanaian than others.”

Speaking on Kumasi-based Abusua FM on Tuesday after the public uproar, Mr. Ayisi Boateng said he still stands by his words.

“I didn’t speak evil at all… When you have a large family but you first make your wife and children eat first before others, what is wrong with that? I am not divisive. E.T Mensah is my senior colleague, when he came to South Africa, find out what I did for him. I have not said anything bad, I stand by my words,” he said.

Some former presidents of TESCON commended him for making public his commitment to Prioritising NPP members.

Calls for the axe

The Minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to immediately terminate Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s appointment as High Commissioner, saying his comment is divisive and reprehensible.

Guilty Akufo-Addo can’t sack Ayisi Boateng – Avedzi

But the Deputy Minority leader, James Klutse Avedzi believes President Akufo-Addo will not be able to gather the needed courage to dismiss under-fire High Commissioner to South Africa.

He said the President Akufo-Addo, like Mr. Ayisi Boateng, has also demonstrated a commitment to prioritizing NPP members.

–

By: Kojo Agyeman & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Maybe Ayisi Boateng spoke in context’ – Freddie Blay appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, this is because Akufo-Addo has also demonstrated his commitment to prioritizing the needs of loyalists of his New Patriotic Party (NPP).

[contextly_sidebar id=”pqsuWlTu3dE9beU6jOWmUqIFk9MBt39y”]Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Avedzi expressed regret at the High Commissioner’s recent comments, saying that it appeared he was only taking a cue from his boss, President Akufo-Addo.

Mr. Ayisi Boateng whilst addressing some party youth at the Kumasi Technical University over the weekend, said he has resolved to prioritize members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in his dealings.

He said although he was to treat all Ghanaians fairly, he believes NPP members are more Ghanaian than others.

“This government is doing its best to create job opportunities and me for instance, I told my people over there [that], it is because of NPP that I’m here, so the NPP man is my priority. I told them when NDC was in power it was Kwesi Ahwoi who was there, now we are in power, so Ayisi-Boateng is here with you. My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it.”

“Indeed, I’m not boasting, but I’ve started meeting the NPP groups. Every weekend I meet some group members and I tell you if I had my way, every job opportunity that will come will go to a TESCON member before any other person. And I know my colleague appointees also have the same feeling except that because of IMF we cannot do anything now,” he said.

Following his comment, which the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described as reprehensible, and called for his dismissal, many Ghanaians have descended heavily on the diplomat.

There are also growing calls for an immediate termination of his role, but Mr. Avedzi believes that President will not take a decision to sack him despite the unfortunate comment.

“The man is taking a cue from what his boss, the President did. When he came, he asked all the CEOs in government departments and agencies to proceed on leave, sacked and replaced with NPP people. The High Commissioner is doing the same thing so if you ask the President to sack him, I don’t think he can do it because he himself has done the same thing. The High Commissioner is only copying his boss the President,” the Ketu South Member of Parliament said on Eyewitness News on Tuesday.

Sack SA High Commissioner for shameful partisan comment – Ablakwa

Meanwhile the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is urging President Akufo-Addo to sack the High Commissioner.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, Mr. Ablakwa said, “ideally, he should resign and apologize to Ghanaians, and to the President for betraying the trust that was reposed in him. He should be doing the honorable thing, but we know that in this our country, that does not happen quite often… The foreign minister, the president, must recall him with immediate effect…It is clear that this mindset cannot represent Ghana.”

–

By: Jonas Nyabor & Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Guilty Akufo-Addo can’t sack Ayisi Boateng – Avedzi appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In justifying his comment, he gave the analogy of how a husband cannot overlook his wife and children’s welfare to cater for outsiders, insisting they must be the first priority.

He thus insisted that he finds nothing wrong with his open declaration to prioritize NPP members because he believes they are “more Ghanaian than others.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”6G3KBQ9rlGbnlBmFIVlSYypm0tV381Bz”]Speaking on Kumasi-based Abusua FM on Tuesday, Mr. Ayisi Boateng said he still stands by his words despite the backlash.

“I didn’t speak evil at all… When you have a large family but you first make your wife and children eat first before others, what is wrong with that? I am not divisive. E.T Mensah is my senior colleague, when he came to South Africa, find out what I did for him. I have not said anything bad, I stand by my words,” he said.

While addressing some party youth at the Kumasi Technical University over the weekend, Mr. Ayisi Boateng said, “this government is doing its best to create job opportunities and me for instance, I told my people over there [that], it is because of NPP that I’m here, so the NPP man is my priority. I told them when NDC was in power it was Kwesi Ahwoi who was there, now we are in power, so Ayisi-Boateng is here with you. My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it.”

“Indeed I’m not boasting, but I’ve started meeting the NPP groups. Every weekend I meet some group members and I tell you if I had my way, every job opportunity that will come will go to a TESCON member before any other person. And I know my colleague appointees also have the same feeling except that because of IMF we cannot do anything now,” he added

His comment, which has not gone down well with some members of the public have seen many calling for his head.

The Minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has also called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately terminate his appointment as High Commissioner, since his comment is divisive and reprehensible.

But Mr. Ayisi Boateng has said he is unperturbed. Whilst attempting to deny making the statement, he said he stands by it.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Your wife and kids must eat first’; I did no wrong – Ayisi Boateng appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The former executives said they are hopeful that Mr. Ayisi Boateng will be appointed to a higher public office to enable him to advance his cause in the interest of members of the party and those of TESCON.

[contextly_sidebar id=”h1JGwXiqXWvheGxBY3PCnWa74xDyhYus”]In a statement copied to citifmonline.com, the group said Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s conduct continues to inspire them although they are unemployed.

They said in the light of the development, they were “waiting patiently for the right time to be fixed [in various positions].”

The group also chided members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for condemning Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s comment, arguing that they [NDC] did the same whilst in power.

‘NPP members more Ghanaian than others’ – SA High Commissioner

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, George Ayisi Boateng, among other things, suggested that some citizens are more Ghanaian than others, hence deserve better treatment and immediate attention from his outfit.

According to him, the “more Ghanaian” people, loyalists of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), must have their interests prioritized by all government appointees.

Read the full statement below:

We the past TESCON Presidents bring you greetings from our homes. Although unemployed and waiting patiently for the right time to be fixed, we wish to state emphatically that we are very proud of you, H.E. Ayisi Boateng, the High Commissioner to South Africa.

We have heard and read diverse backlash and attacks from “the babies with sharp teeth” in opposition regarding your statement at a TESCON meeting at Kumasi Technical University that TESCON members are your priority and to that extent, NPP members.

You have been our source of inspiration during our days in opposition and you continue to inspire us. Travelling from South Africa to attend our programs alone tells us to do more since there is hope for the future because we are always remembered by you.

“Onipa nua” affectionately called has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he has TESCON members at heart and we also pledge to be present any time you call on us, we are going to be present.

It is our fervent hope and prayer that very soon, you shall be appointed to an office in Ghana that will aid you to continue helping the youth as you have always envisioned. God continue to bless your positive thought’s for us.

TO PAST TESCON LEADERS

We shall by this call on former and past TESCON leaders in government to turn to TESCON members and aid us since they are our source of inspiration. We shall however forever be grateful to the likes of lawyer Justin Koduah Frimpong( CEO of YEA) ,lawyer Henry Nana Boakye aka Nana B (deputy CEO of NSS ), Mr Nelson Owusu  Ansah ( Ashanti regional youth organizer and YEA director) and many others for their immense support to TESCON in Ashanti region. We recognise your efforts. They have made TESCON members their priority and we really appreciate it.

TO THE OPPOSITION (NDC)

To the opposition, our only advice to them is to concentrate on fixing their tattered party just as the KB’s report is suggesting and stop creating something out of nothing because we all saw how they treated our TEIN counterparts.

It was very normal to treat TEIN members special but abomination now to treat TESCON members special. They must get over the elections shock and give proper opposition to the government for the formulation of better policies that will help develop the country.

………..SIGNED………..

Hon George Krobea Asante
Former TESCON President
GIMPA, KUMASI
Yiadom BOAKYE Emmanuel
Former  TESCON President
KNUST
Nana Osei
Former TESCON President
CSUC

Seth Osei Acheampong
Former TESCON President
University of Education, Kumasi
–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Jobless former TESCON leaders back Ayisi Boateng appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the “more Ghanaian” people, loyalists of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), must have their interests prioritized by all government appointees.

[contextly_sidebar id=”aw9ves1fJ3WqMYXNG34sLS2rTInk4iSB”]He made the remarks at a ceremony over the weekend to welcome fresh members of the tertiary wing of the NPP, Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network  (TESCON) at the Kumasi Technical University.

NPP members are my first priority – SA High Commissioner

In his address, he said he believed that members of TESCON must be considered first in employment opportunities before others, and that is something he would have done if he had his own way.

“Indeed I’m not boasting, but I’ve started meeting the NPP groups. Every weekend I meet some group members and I tell you if I had my way, every job opportunity that will come will go to a TESCON member before any other person. And I know my colleague appointees also have the same feeling except that because of IMF we cannot do anything now,” he said.

“A TESCON member is my priority, an NPP member is my priority. We are all Ghanaians but some are more Ghanaian than others….this government is doing its best to create job opportunities and me for instance, I told my people over there [that], it is because of NPP that I’m here, so the NPP man is my priority. I told them when NDC was in power it was Kwesi Ahwoi who was there, now we are in power, so Ayisi-Boateng is here with you. My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it,” he said.

Sack SA High Commissioner for shameful partisan comment – Ablakwa

Meanwhile the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is urging President Akufo-Addo to sack the High Commissioner over the comment which he said is shameful and undeserving of a diplomat of the country.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Ablakwa said, “ideally, he should resign and apologize to Ghanaians, and to the President for betraying the trust that was reposed in him. He should be doing the honorable thing, but we know that in this our country, that does not happen quite often… The foreign minister, the president, must recall him with immediate effect…It is clear that this mindset cannot represent Ghana.”

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘NPP members more Ghanaian than others’ – SA High Commissioner appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.