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Aliu Foundation lambasts Harruna for 'irritating' comments
Harruna Attah, who used to be a staunch leading member of the NPP had claimed that Nana Addo told him in a private conversation that a non-Akan cannot lead the party.
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Harruna Attah, who used to be a staunch leading member of the NPP claimed that Nana Addo told him in a private conversation that a non-Akan cannot lead the party.
He said that Nana Addo made these comments following his [Harruna] support for the late Aliu Mahama who was contesting the 2008 NPP flag bearer race.
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“I do recollect very clearly, as if it happened only yesterday, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo invited me to his office at Ridge near the offices of the Electoral Commission. I honoured the invitation, not knowing what to expect. The outcome was one of the most revealing encounters I have ever had with a Ghanaian politician. He raised a number of issues and concluded on my “support” for the late Vice President. On that, this is what he told me,” Ambassador Attah said in a statement.
He added: “The words have been indelibly etched on my conscience: “Harruna, your support for Aliu was flawed. If you think our party will cede its Akan leadership, you are wrong.” He went on to expatiate on the theme, but with my mind reeling at this blatant and brazen ethnocentricity, nothing else really mattered to me again. When I left, I confided in a few people, mainly family and friends, as witnesses. I received all manner of suggestions on how to handle this “bombshell” and indeed one family member high up in the NPP even suggested that I take it up with President Kufuor. The frightening fundamental message was clear: No non-Akan should dream of leading the NPP as Presidential Candidate.”
However, the Aliu Mahama Foundation said on Thursday that it “will like to put on record that Alhaji Aliu Mahama never had any issue of ethnocentrism against him or in his favour throughout his public life until his passing. There was never a situation where he was favoured or discriminated against because of his ethnic background.”“Alhaji Aliu Mahama served this nation as the vice president through the political party he was affiliated to with dignity and utmost commitment.“Alhaji Haruna Attah should respect the memory of Alhaji Aliu Mahama not out of fear but because it is the proper human thing to do. He should allow the gentle soul of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama to rest in peace. The Foundation will not like to be drawn into the politics and political space by the kind of misrepresentation that some section of the public finds convenient for political gains,” the Foundation said in a statement.
The spokesperson for the NPP flagbearer, Mustapha Hamid, has since indicated that Nana Addo never had a private conversation with the former Accra Daily Mail publisher to discuss the tribal issues he raised.
Below is the full statement from the Foundation:
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RESPECT THE MEMORY OF ALIU MAHAMA – Aliu Mahama FoundationIt has come to the notice of Aliu Mahama Foundation that a senior member of the Ghanaian society is peddling falsehood against the memory of Alhaji Aliu Mahama.The Foundation finds it extremely disturbing that Alhaji Haruna Atta would lie about a faithful Ghanaian servant just to advance a political mileage.This betrayal and back stabbing behavior exhibited by a senior member of the journalism industry is irritating and backward.The Foundation would like to put on record that Alhaji Aliu Mahama never had any issue of ethnocentrism against him or in his favour throughout his public life until his passing.There was never a situation where he was favored or discriminated against because of his ethnic background. He believed that politics or election is an issue of lose of win, hence he accepted the results of 2007 NPP primaries in good faith.His competence and achievements speak volume of the quality of man he was. Alhaji Aliu Mahama served this nation as Vice President, through the political party he was affiliated to, with dignity and utmost commitment.Alhaji Haruna Atta should respect the memory of Alhaji Aliu Mahama, not out of fear, but because it is the proper human thing to do. He should allow the gentle soul of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama to rest in peace.The Foundation would not want to be drawn into the political space by the kind of misrepresentation that some section of the Ghanaian public finds convenient for their political gains.Aliu Mahama Foundation focuses on championing greater discipline and preserving the blessed memory and legacy of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.SignedDr. Samuel K. Frimpong
Executive Director – Aliu Mahama Foundation
Former Aide to the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama
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