Kofi B. KUKUBOR

“Fellow Ghanaians, as you will notice, we are not playing the national anthem. In other words, this is not a coup. I ask for nothing less than a REVOLUTION-something that will transform the social and economic order of this country. Fellow citizens, it is now left to you to decide how this country is going to go from today. We are asking for nothing more than the power to organize this country in such a way that nothing will be done from the Castle without the consent and authority of the people. In other words, the people, the farmers, the police, the soldiers, the workers you – the guardians- rich or poor, should be part of the decision-making process of this country.” Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings (December 31, 1981)

A Revolution

A revolution most often result in fundamental changes to socio-political power or organizational structures over a period of time. This maybe in a form of complete change from one constitution to another, significant modification of existing order, or a complete paradigm shift in socio-political and organizational structure of a society or nation. History is replete with Revolutions and is always characterised at the initial stage by violence and overthrow of an existing order.

Characteristically, revolutions arrive on the back of wide social breakdown, extreme suppression, and excessive corruption by people who have been entrusted with power to govern. A revolution is a process intended to achieve targeted objectives over a period of time.

Antecedents to December 31, 1981 Revolution.

Since 1961, economic growth of Ghana was very unstable and unpredictable, fluctuating between negative and positive growth. The volatile economic instability made it difficult for any investment to happen in Ghana. In 1975 Ghana experienced its worst GDP performance which stood at -12.4% and GDP Per capita at -14.5%. As at December 31, 1981 GDP growth was -3.5% and GDP per capita growth -6.2%. Inflation under the Supreme Military Council Regime in 1977 was 116.45%, in 1978, 73.09%, and in 1981 under the PNP (Hilla Liman) was 116.50%.

Kalabule, the jargon for extreme corruption was prevalent. This act was championed by government officials and their associates which brought about untold hardship of the masses. The economy was out of control and the country was described as a collapsed State by some of the international donors.

Political administration of the country was paralyzed as the Hilla Liman led People’s National Party (PNP) government due to political indiscipline, internal division and rancour, and a sabotage by parliament in refusing to approve the national budget submitted for parliamentary approval. This brought the government machinery to a standstill.

On December 31, 1981, a confederation of the military and civilian population led by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, launched a revolution by overthrowing the Hilla Liman government. A government of Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) was born to execute the ideals of the Revolution.

Major Socio-Political and Economic Changes from December 31, 1981 to January 7, 1993

Economy

Faced with these extreme socio-political and economic challenges, the PNDC tinkered its original Revolutionary Socialist ideals with some liberal economic policies to stabilize the political-economy and to lay sound foundation for economic take of.

Sweeping economic reforms to revolutionized and to “structurally adjust and stabilize” the economic foundation were carried through the Economic Recovery Programme, (ERP) from 1983 to 1986. The financial sector was also declining and was mainly characterized by ceilings fixed for interest rates, credit guidelines for different sectors, ceilings fixed for credits etc. However, in 1987 the rules pertaining to minimum deposits as well as maximum deposits were abolished. The foundation for the liberalization of the banking, insurance, and financial investment institutions was established through the implementation of the Financial Adjustment Programme (FINSAP). In addition, tax reforms were initiated which culminated in later years in the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT of 10%) 1995 to secure government revenue base, which today funds most government public expenditures.

These economic recovery programmes liberalized the economy and positively impacted the financial sector, the agricultural sector, foreign direct investments (FDI), etc. By 1984 GDP rose to 8.6% though it declined to 3.9% in 1992, Ghana’s economy has since not gone back into negative growth since the revolution. By 1992, inflation that was 116. 5% was brought down to 10.1%.

Agriculture

The agriculture sector responded positively to these reforms. Cocoa production that was 246,500 tons in 1981 increased to 312,122 tons in 1992. Cassava production increased from 2,065.000 tons in 1981 to 5,655.000 tons in 1992. Other cash crops for export increased which boosted the country’s revenue generation. In recognition, the Farmers’ Day was instituted in 1985 to celebrate and award gallant farmers and fishermen whose output was about 30% growth in 1984.

The positives of the PNDC agricultural policy and programme extended to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from which resulted in the recognition of Ghana’s Food Production Index of 148% for 1995-1997 as “the third highest achievement in the record after Jordan (157%) and China (156%) in the World Bank’s “1999-2000 Development Report.

Local government (Governance Structure)

The political administration of the country was overhauled as decision-making was “moved from the Castle to the people” through the People Defense Committee (PDC) system.

The governance structure which was overly top-heavy in decision-making was devolved through the People Defense Committee (PDC) system. When the Rawlings led PNDC established the People’s Defence Committees (PDCs), a system of cooperatives, it became a unique move never before seen in Ghana’s political economy, and was a precursor to the decentralisation policy of Ghana. The PDCs were established in every village, workplaces etc. For effective administration, it was structured in unit committees of 100 persons, zonal committees, and the assembly. This structure later formed the bedrock of the Local Government administration.

As one of the main political preoccupations of the PNDC, in January 1987, Jerry John Rawlings announced radical changes to be introduced in the local government elections. No cash deposits were required of candidates for district level elections, illiteracy in English was no longer a disqualification so as to accommodate non-English speakers in the District Assembly and to make assembly debates accessible to the majority of constituents, and District Assembly elections were to be nonpartisan. 110 district assemblies were created and in 1988 the first District Assembly elections were held. Education, infrastructure developments, and healthcare all devolved to the district level. Annual government subvention were mandated by law to the district. A system uncommon and unimaginable in many other African countries.

The PDC system created political awareness and politically empowered citizens which were denied them by previous governments. By implementing the decentralization concept, Rawlings inherently instituted a transition from authoritarianism to multi-party democracy.

Infrastructure and Others

The December 31, revolution carried out extensive reconstruction of the country. SSNIT housing projects were undertaken in all the Ten regions to house public sector workers, accessibility was facilitated by constructing roads to link and open up the northern sections of the country such as Brong Ahafo, Northern Region, Upper East and Upper West which were once ignored by previous governments. Pavilion structures were built in all the 110 districts to make basic education accessible to all and two secondary schools per district was initiated. Regional and District hospitals sprang up, and electricity that was ‘housed’ only in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi was extended to all parts of the country. Information accessibility was increased by extending Television coverage across the country.

Female entry and graduation rate at basic to tertiary education increased. For example, percentage of female graduates in tertiary education rose from 13.9% in 1981 to 24.4% in 1987. Though it declined to 21.5% in 1992, it has kept an upward trend since the birth of the Revolution.

Rural entrepreneurship among women was vigorously pursued by the PNDC government by empowering rural women, capacity building, and the establishment of cottage industry accross the country. The entrepreneurship drive among rural women was also championed on the other hand by the First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings through her December 31, Women Movement. The rural women were also easy for political mobilization in support of the Revolution.

The Road To Multi-Party Democracy

After the reconstruction of Ghana which was the objective of the PNDC government, agitation for the future political direction of Ghana started to emerge. This compelled the PNDC government to begin the process to return the country to Multi-Party democracy.

After internal debates which centred on dissolving the PNDC to allow the two traditional parties (i.e. CPP, and NLM &PP traditions) to continue with the return to constitutional rule, the Cadres of the revolution (revolutionary organs and Rawlings fan clubs) insisted on forming a new tradition and a political Party that will protect the gains of the Revolution and underpinned by the principles of probity, accountability, transparency, and social justice. The principles that sustained the Revolution. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) was born out of this revolutionary progressive concept. The fourth republic was also born out of the Revolution.

The Political Stability by A Political Personality

The revolution would not have been successful had it not been characterised by the political stability that the PNDC government firmly established. Since the overthrow of Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, successive governments were changed through the barrel of the gun. The December 31 revolution put a stop to all coups which brought immense growth and benefits to the country.

As Chazan (1983) stated, Rawlings, unlike many other leaders in Ghana’s history, subsequently led the country through the difficult years of economic recovery and succeeded in giving back to Ghanaians their national pride. “Without Rawlings’ strength of character and unwavering determination, Ghana would not have survived the Economic Recovery Programs (ERPs) of the 1980s put in place by the ruling Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).” Rawlings saw his leadership role to be that of a “watchdog” for ordinary people and he boldly confronted issues of incompetence, injustice and corruption.

Conclusion

After over two decades of multi-party democracy, the moral integrity and value systems that underpinned the modest gains of the revolution have fast eroded. Eventually, its corrosive impact on the physical (socio-political and economic) gains of the revolution is also being significantly felt by Ghanaians. Even the NDC that ‘evoluted’ from the Revolution has been battered with the ills of past that compelled the launch of the December 31, 1981 revolution.
NDC is at a crossroad to either decay, or to restore its value system of probity, accountability, transparency, and social justice which will significantly prop up its social democratic philosophy. The democracy of Ghana was born out the revolution and therefore has its tenets which are in the DNA of the NDC. Within the current NDC “It is rather unfortunate that there are still some of our brothers and sisters who imagine that the past decade can be wished away; simply as an uncomfortable dream and that the new constitutional era, will inaugurate a period of “business as usual” with all the negative practices of the past. These ladies and gentlemen should stop whistling in the dark and realise that they may be condemned to repeat history if they ignore its lessons”. Capt. Rtd. Kojo Tsikata (1991)
Some Ghanaian do like the idea of democracy but want to forget the revolutionary origins of democracy, we cannot sanitize democracy without its struggle, without the masses, and without ordinary people. (paraphrased) Kojo Tsikata, 1988.

As the NDC and the people of Ghana commemorate the 36th Anniversary of the December 31 revolution, it is imperative to be reminded of the history and identity of the NDC. It is an identity that has defined the character of the NDC and which has endeared it to the masses. Deviation thereof from these ideals will lead to rejection thereof by the masses. Once more, “we indicate our determination to alter the state of affairs inherited from the past in which democracy meant plenty for the rich; starvation for the broad majority, and a lack for sensitivity for the plight of the poor”.(Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings 1989). Let NDC unite around the principles of probity, accountability, and social justice to reorganize so as to restore the value systems that are critical in the reconstruction of Ghana.

GOD bless the Revolution
GOD bless the NDC
GOD bless the people of Ghana.
Aluta continua! !

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The writer is a Governance and Policy Analyst, and member of the Central Planning Committee of the 36th Anniversary of the December 31 Revolution Commemoration.

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Speaking on Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue on Saturday, Kofi Kukubor said awarding the National Best Farmer in dollars only goes to show that the country places little value on the Ghanaian cedi, and exposes the economy as weak.

Government on Friday crowned Philip Kweku Agyeman from the Brong Ahafo Region as the National Best Farmer of 2017, and handed him a dummy cheque of $100,000  as his prize, at the 33rd National Farmers Day celebration held in Kumasi.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Xe3RTlck3EmPrLYiaBIOMhzuvq5ozq1Y”]This was the first time an overall best farmer has been given a cash reward.

In previous years, the winners were awarded houses at locations of their choice.

While congratulating the farmers who won awards in several categories in Kumasi, the NDC member believes the event was marred by the presentation of the of the award in dollars.

“I think it was a beautiful programme but I think at the end of the it was marred because of the dollar cheque presentation which was a complete affront to our economy or a subtle message telling us that by the time if they were to quote the award in cedis, by the time it would have matured next year, it would have lost its value.”

Mr. Kukubor argued that, “by pegging it to a dollar cheque clearly tell us that at least next year’s economy is going to be a bit tough and rough so in order not to have the value to be depreciated, for the first time in this country, lets award him in dollars.”

“We are a cedi economy and you are awarding a best farmer in dollars, are you trying to dollarize the economy the economy?”

There have been several concerns about the use of dollars in doing business in the country, yet the practice continues. There are even business that reportedly charge in dollars in Ghana.

Ghana places so much emphasis on the dollar because the economy is one that largely relies on imports, and the dollar plays a crucial role in this.

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

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These category of people are most often excessive personality worshippers without any deference to the values and principles of the party they claim they belong to. Their survival is feeding on the egos of political appointees, candidates, and elected officials. They concoct stories, they abuse and insult anyone who critique their gods of supply, and eventually destroy collective party and national interests. They do not even belong to any of the party’s structures or offer themselves for party service.

They are always hanging around political personalities or taking photos with them to shore up their nonexistence ‘bigmanism’. They never see any fault in their gods of supply, they are always deifying and adulating their political gods. They are quick to threaten and insult anyone who critique the conducts of the demigod they have created for survival.

Their thinking is waspy and deliberately myopic. They exude poluting arrogance. So poluting and nauseating to the the extent that, decent people avoid making public statements on critical party or national issues that could have shaped our political and governance discourse and direction.

They steal the nation’s resources at the least opportunity. Because they have to grab their portion before the next government comes. To them, politics is purely about survival. Not about service to humanity and transforming the future for succeding generation. In fact, they lack the transformative capacity and deficient in ability.

We must all bear in mind that Ghana’s constitution provides the platform for political parties to form national governments through the ballot box. It is therefore imperative to know that, if we do not contribute by strongly expressing our opinions to shape the country’s governance, such people will assume offices and unleash behaviours, formulate laws, and policies that will be detrimental to our collective interests.

We are already experiencing some of these behaviours in governments. The future is ours, and developed nations are built on core and deep values, and superior quality of character, expertise, and experienced leadeship.

If we seat on the periphery of politics, Ghana shall harvest the whirlwind

Shalom

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By: Kofi Kukubor

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Prelude

In order not to fall into comatose in the comity of nations, I have travelled and sojourned the abrahamic length and breath to seek greener pastures for my people. I sought chairmanship, but because Mahama refused to hand over on time, a senior Sergeant of another country was chosen ahead of me. The chairmanship would have brought more encouragement but well: ‘How for do?’

On a positive, my popularity and fame went ahead of me because of my Inaugural Speech. My speech resonated with other great, famous, and internationally astute Sergeants who came before me. Haters will say I plagiarized. Ignore them! This singular speech gave the media: home and abroad, a frenzied reportage and has placed Ghana in an ‘eyeing’ and ‘face pulling’ position in the comity of nations.

Nevertheless, my deputy Sergeant, who has the mastery to leverage all Ghana’s resources without borrowing, and I have secured and brought home an unprecedented amount of money. It is so much so that, I do not know whether it is 13, 16, or 19 billion Chinese Dollars. In any case, more dollars shall be arriving. We shall figure out the actual amount when it is spent. The haters and the opposition, envious of the leveraged loan, oops! My bad! Envious of the Leveraged Resource Money, eerrmm, whatever, are going about saying that Ghana’s economy can not consume the Chinese dollar. Why? Is Ghana’s economy a stomach that gets full upon eating? Or, a kitchen cabinet with limited space to store food? Don’t mind them!

The Senior Corporal

I have announced the cancellation of the Capitation Policy of the NHIA. The “mere fact that the implementers of the policy failed to expand it beyond the Ashanti Region is an indication that it was not good for the people”. We do not have any replacement yet. But we shall think about it.

I have also started announcing to Ghanaians all NDC loans that we cannot pay now. Otherwise, the economy will not breath. The loans of NDC were too much but not unprecedented like our 19 billion Chinese dollar one. Unlike the NDC, that took loans to build Dubai in Ghana and school blocks, we shall give the Chinese dollar to the private sector but we shall leverage the resources of Ghanaians to the Chinese government. Aloo, Corporal Finance?

Corporal Finance

The documents for ‘devil in the details’ are yet to be received from the Chinese and worked on, Senior. But I raised a foreign-localised bond of 2.25 Billion dollars at a record speed. Domestic dollars and not cedis ooooh? I asked my American friend to bring some of his excess dollars. We went to the forex bureau and changed the dollars into cedis and then placed it as a local bond. The American friend owns 95 per centum of the bond, but for the remaining 5 per centum, because NDC MPs cannot read, there is no point showing the document to the House of Parliament.

However, inflation is racing downwards, the dollar is speeding uphill, and the taxes we are about to implement are perplexing.

The Cash Crop Poultry and the Armed Robbing Worms

The planting for food and jobs is on course. Sir, I thought since poultry is a cash crop, there was no way the army worms would have survived in the parliament of fowls. But to my surprise, the worms rather attacked wood plants like maize and other cereal plants. I quickly used 20 million Cedis to sole source to procure Dursban (wood treatment chemical), without the knowledge of Woman Corporal, Adwoa Safo, Minister of State responsible for Public Procurement. Sir, she was busy appropriating NDC’s E-Block schools so as to enter your 6 months of achievements book.

However, the farmers insisted that the army worms prefer to die in detergents rather than ‘chemicals’. We shall soon arrange with Unilever for quantities of Omo powder and key soaps and with the assistance from Ghana Water Company and additional backing from GRIDCO/ECG to supply water and not to ‘dum’ on the selected days respectively. We shall invade the affected farms with a ‘detergentic’ bravado.

Rescaling Free SHS to Advanced Scholarship

The Free SHS by the year 2017 has encountered a Damascus ‘born again’ experience and undergoing a tutorial ahead of September SHS admissions. This is due to the fact that the various funds from the oil money did not compound enough in agreement with the calculations when in opposition.
The dawn of 2017 awakening has changed it to ‘beginning with first year students who have qualified’. Really? Which student is admitted into SHS without qualifying? Sir, to further ensure effectiveness of the Free SHS policy, it shall be given to only brilliant students. Indeed, that is a Free SHS.

But for the purpose of 6 months achievements, we have given a political fiat to the already existing non-automatic promotion of teachers. We have to claim ownership of this policy.

The Battalion of National Security

The battalion consisting of Corporals National Security, Interior; National Security Coordinator, National Security Advisor, The Inspector General Of Police, and the Corporal of Defence, have all been confounded, outdone and outpaced by the Serbianic military skills and South African mercenary expertise of the NPP trained Invisible/Delta forces.

They are visibly seen in charge of state functions thereby breaching all state protocols. They invade courtrooms and “rambo” their colleagues from the docks of the courts. They put fear in appointed Regional Security Coordinators and ‘Chuck Norris’ them out of their offices in broad daylight and in the presence of the police but yet, invisible to the police.

In a gansteric manner, they seize vehicles of suspected former appointees and suspected associates of the NDC with support form NPP executives and some senior members and in some cases, with tacit support of police who cannot see them. These violent acts have now extrapolated on to the streets. Both civilians and uniformed men are being gunned down by criminals on the streets without fear.
Sergeant Lee continues to direct and instruct to no avail. The IGP, in defence of an apparent failure to stop these terrible and violent acts, excused that the Police Service lacks equipment and tools that will give them same status of invisibility and invincibility that the Invisible forces have acquired.

Until the clothes of invisibility are acquired by Sergeant Lee for the police, we can only hope that Corporal Chieftaincy hurry ‘men of God’ to Israel for spiritual intervention at the wailing wall.

Galamsey and Fuseini’s Hidden Photoshoots

Sir, the galamsey fight was going on very well until Inusah Fuseini pissed ‘inside’ with his photoshoot. We hope there will not be any Photoshop in the nearest future to further derail the little gain. Unfortunately, Fuseini’s conduct has forced you to be infested with the dead goat syndrome of willing to sacrifice your presidency to fight galamsey to its conclusion.

In the meantime and in between time, the galamseyers are also placarding your campaign promises you made to them with ‘yentie obia’ dance.

Postlude

The press shall be met today, July 18, 2017. Don’t worry, if we cannot confuse them then, we will confound them. After all, it is not a six months’ mandate. It is a four year mandate.

I am only a “spectating” civilian observing Sir!!

–

By: Kofi Kukubor

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“…instead of a lean government, we have lean kenkey at a higher price, these are the issues which the….government and its activists should be tackling instead of seeking to divert attention with threats, intimidation, assaults, car-snatching, seizure of lorry parks and toilet grabbing”. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, May 2009.

The above statement from Nana Akuffo Addo was made after John Atta Mills, the then President, was accused of appointing a bloated government of 74 Ministers in2009.

On March 15, 2015. Daily Guide, Communication Director of NPP, Nana Akomea, accused John Mahama of illogical appointments after his total ministerial appointment was 85 Ministers.
He categorically stated,“….it is intriguing that a social democratic party like the National Democratic Congress(NDC) has abandoned its ‘lean government’ promise in the wake of the socio-economic crisis in the country………..what Ghana needs is institutional reforms and not illogical ministerial appointments.”

The New Patriotic Party, NPP led by Nana Akuffo Addo, in opposition, ridiculed NDC government under Mills and Mahama on the size of their government. They vehemently argued that, the ‘bloated’ NDC government was a waste of Ghana’s public purse.

So on January 7, 2017, as contained in his inaugural address, President Akuffo Addo vowed to protect the public purse during his administration.According to him, public service is not an avenue for politicians to milk the state adding that he will ensure value for money.

Moreover, few weeks after President Nana Akufo-Addo touted the prospects of the country’s economy that the National Democratic Congress(NDC) had left for the current government to manage, the President has made a sharp U-turn on his State of the Nation’s Address saying Ghana’s “economy is in bad shape.”

Where is the lean Cow?

Ghanaians believed the President, hoping that for the first time in the political history of Ghana, Ghanaians shall experience a very “leaned” government like that of a Somalian cow. Some experts even touted the ability of Nana Akuffo Addo in the possibility of creating less than 23 Ministries to efficiently run Ghana’s economy. After all, Ghana’s public purse is in bad shape and must be protected.
The first full list of ministers of the NPP government defied all projections of governance and political experts.

Eventually, Ghana our beloved country through a political In Vitro fertilization is pregnant with 110 (one hundred and ten) political cocktails of ministers. When you add one Special Assistant each plus 50 spokespersons, the real size of NPP government will be 270 appointees. This is beyond a bloated government: it is an obesity of a government.

Even the political neutrals are dumbfounded and confounded with this In Vitro pregnancy of a government. However, the chief linguist, Hamid Mustapha, assured us that they never promised a lean government. The question is, did they also promise Ghanaians an obese (Obolo) government? Does it not hold to reason that if you continue to ridicule your neighbour for marrying an obese woman, it is naturally obligated and expected of you to introduce your lean wife to your neighbours?

Mustapha Hamid further stated in his press conference held on the March 15, 2017, that, the economy is so bad that the only way Ghana can be run efficiently is to impregnate government with a 110 ducklings that will waddle and ‘duckle’ with Ghana’s public purse ‘perficiently’.

The point is, a Lean Government refers to “the application of lean production or principles and methods to both identify and then implement the most efficient, value added way to provide government services.”

So, where on earth can you equate obesity to efficiency apart from more ‘efficient’ hands being dipped into the public purse?

Kwaku Anase’s GHC1.56 Billion Cash Cow to the Office of Government Machinery (The Presidency)

The NPP, led by Nana Akuffo Addo, during his campaign told Ghanaians that one district one dam, one district one factory, will be private sector led. In other words, the NPP has lined up private investors that will move into the districts to begin the industrial revolution of Ghana. This posture was defended by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, during his vetting by the Appointment Committee where he reiterated that these initiatives shall not be funded by government money.

However, after an alarm was raised concerning the GHC1.56 billion budget allocation for 2017 to the Presidency, the largest in the history of Ghana, the song to the funding of these projects changed. I heard Kwaku Kwarteng protesting that a billion of this money is meant for the these initiatives. So, where are the private investors that will carry the machines to go and dig the dams for the farmers to fetch to water their crops? Or the Agotime-Kpetoe Kete(Kente) investors that are ready to invest in Kpetoe? Have they been ferried away by Korle Lagoon flood? Or the GHC1.00 billion shall be used for conferencing and trekking to the offices of the private sector businesses by the presidential initiatives ministers?

In addition to this, the 7.5% Common Fund allocation meant for the development of Local Assemblies has been reduced to 5%. The difference is the amount forwarded to the Presidency to confuse Ghanaians that the government has raised additional money to support the District Assembly Common Fund which is already legally theirs.

This strategy is an epitome of a Kwaku Ananse story. Ananse, after roasting four fingers of plantain, distributed each to his four sons. He later on asked each of his sons to share half of his plantain with him. That’s how Ghana’s public purse is being protected.

Indeed, the obesity of a lean public purse.

Shalom

–

By: Kofi B. Kukubor

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The pair have been linked with moves to Tottenham, now managed by ex-Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Southampton have already sold five players this summer.

“Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin will be in our line-up as we move into next season,” Krueger told BBC Radio Solent. “They will not be sold.”

Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers have all left the club this summer, despite Krueger previously saying Saints would not sell their key players.

He admitted to meeting officials from Tottenham last week, but said it was unrelated to the potential departures of Rodriguez, 25, and France international Schneiderlin, 24.

Rodriguez, who has been at St Mary’s since joining from hometown club Burnley in 2012 for a fee of about £7m, is currently sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Schneiderlin joined Southampton from Strasbourg in 2008 and played a key role in their rise from League One to the top flight.

The midfielder played for France at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil and has attracted interest from Arsenal, but is understood to favour a move to Spurs.

“We see them as a part of our core group of players,” added Krueger. “Those stories being passed around are quite simply false.

“I did meet Spurs officials in Toronto but not a word was exchanged about players of Southampton.”

Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers have all left the club this summer

Krueger denied that owner Katharina Liebherr was looking to sell the club or recoup her family’s investment, adding that the money they have received for the five players leaving St Mary’s will be invested back into the squad.

Southampton’s chairman also said that new manager Ronald Koeman was “100% involved in every single decision we are making” and apologised to supporters for a lack of communication over the past few weeks.

“We did not put any players up for sale,” he added. “To get the best deal we needed to stay silent. It was not in our style to leak things out.”

He accused the departed players of wanting to take a “shortcut to Champions League football” and said the club are close to adding to their squad, having already signed Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle this summer.

“Those players were wanting to have it immediately,” he said. “Once you end up with a group with that type of attitude you need to do what is best for the club. We did not make any decision on financial grounds.”

The former NHL ice hockey chief also said that Southampton’s executive director Les Reed was doing an “outstanding job”, despite criticism from supporters.

“I do not know if there are many other people that work with so much character and integrity on a daily basis,” he said. “He embodies the type of club we want to be.

“He does nothing but tell the truth. If people want to hear fairytales they are at the wrong club.

“We tell the truth and Les Reed has done an outstanding job in getting us the best deals for the players leaving the club, as he is getting the best possible deals for targets coming into the club.”

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Source: Sky Sports

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