Some Ghanaians who were annoyed after seeing pictures of Madam Akua Donkor on the side of President Mahama during the Ghana-Italy Business Forum at the Milan Expo 2015, have questioned the value of the inclusion of the woman largely viewed as an uneducated politician only good for comedy, on such a serious trip meant to bring investment benefits to the country.
The MP, who was speaking on TV3’s New Day, was infuriated when the Host, Nana Aba Anamoah, requested to know who sponsored Madam Akua Donkor on the government trip.
He retorted ” Nana Aba, who funded Ekow Spio Garbrah (Trades and Industry Minister)? Whenever the President is going on a trip, depending on the nature of the trip….I was living in London those days and we were part of the group that were tracking all the people in President Kufuor’s entourage” he noted.
But the Host, Nana Aba Anamoah, would not take the usual equalization from the MP, reminding him to comment specifically on the issue at stake in relation to the incumbent administration.
“It is not uncommon for the president to travel….when the President travels with Kobina Darko; when the President travels with business executives; does anybody complain about it? Is it because she is not educated? She is a farmer and employs over 100 people on her farm. She is a businesswoman..In fact she represents the people of Adaklu; because she is an ordinary person. Do we have to only take people on trips because they can speak good English or wear suits? I want to see more of Akua Donkors who represent ordinary people…Maybe the President can even take a shoemaker that is doing better when he is going on the next investment drive. I want to see the President take local people who actually can make an impact. Akua Donkor is making an impact, she is a lady; she is a role model, she is a political advocate”. Why aren’t you asking of all other people other than Akua Donkor” he wondered.
The National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party, Otiku Djaba, who was on the show, said although the party was not against the inclusion of Madam Akua Donkor on the trip in principle, perhaps there needs to be some clarity on whether the NDC is in alliance with the Ghana Freedom Party.
“The real reason I can see for which she went there, it’s like a way of bribing her to do the work of the NDC. And it appears that, now she is the spokesperson for the government. We have the communications minister and PROs, so why is the potential presidential candidate of the GFP going that way and why is she always on their trip?. It’s the same thing that happened with the PNC’s Hassan Ayariga. It’s not right for the development of this country. Then what about the other parties? They should invite Nana Addo the next time, Nduom or Samia Nkrumah, then we will know that there is justice and fairness” she opined.
Meanwhile the former National Youth Organizer of the NPP, Anthony Karbo, has also questioned the exclusion of Madam Akua Donkor’s name from the official list of persons that made the trip.
Madam Akua Donkor
Madam Akua Donkor has since her return from called the bluff of those criticizing her and justified her inclusion on the trip.
In recent times, the woman who is the Founder of the unpopular opposition party, the Ghana Freedom Party, has largely been seen in the company of the incumbent National Democratic Congress.
She is believed to have traveled with a government delegation to Nigeria during the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected Nigerian President General Buhari.
Also at a recent economic management meeting by government at Senchi in the Eastern Region to discuss critical issues facing the Ghanaian economy, she had the privilege of being present there.
Government is yet to officially comment on her involvement in such state-sponsored engagements.
By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/3news.com/Ghana