Ayisi Boateng retracts comments & apologises

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa George Ayisi Boateng has apologised for his recent comments, which have sparked public anger.

Ayisi Boateng in a meeting with some members of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON), the student wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the weekend in Kumasi, said his priority is to see to the welfare of his party’s members before any other Ghanaians’.

“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… My topmost priority is the problems of an NPP person before any other Ghanaian, take it or leave it,” he had said at the meeting.

The comments have not been taken likely by civil society and political parties as some have called for his head.

The Minority in Parliament on Wednesday asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to relieve him of his duties as Members particularly Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described him as “the Chemical Ali” of Ghana’s envoys.

OccupyGhana also called for an unqualified apology from the ambassador, failure of which he should be sacked.

editors.3news.com gathers that after a crunch meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at the Flagstaff House, Mr Ayisi issued a statement to express remorse over the comments.

“I have realised that my statement is unfortunate and at variance with the letter and spirit of the Ghanaian constitution and the dignified office of High Commissioner that I occupy.

“I am aware that as the representative of Ghana to South Africa, I have a responsibility to protect the interest of all Ghanaians within my jurisdiction and to grant them equal access to opportunities that are presented, irrespective of their political affiliation.

“I regret the effect of my speech delivered to the young party members which has generated public outcry.”

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|editors.3news.com|Ghana

Follow @kwame_amoh