Akufo-Addo & Wife Chopping State Money

President Akufo-Addo, his wife, family and government, appear to be bitten by an ecstatic bug which has put them in a frenzy wining and dining upon the least event, instead of justifying the mandate imposed on them by getting the job done.

Although, some insiders have, counted not less than 12 parties held by the Akufo-Addo family, The Herald has counted about five luxurious parties held by the President at his Nima family home, the Banquet Hall of Flagstaff House and private hotels in Accra among other places.

They had been breakfast parties, lunch parties and dinner parties. It is not clear, however, who are the sponsors of these numerous expensive parties which is often attended by ministers of state, their deputies, chief executives of state institutions; the ruling class etc.

It has been a period of celebrating electoral victories; separate birthday parties – same month, but different dates – by the President and his wife; Rebecca Akufo-Addo, as well as their 20th wedding anniversary at the plush Labadi Beach Hotel all of which had a heavy presence of family, friends and selected party loyalists from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Within the 100 days, social media, has been awashed with pictures and videos of some of these events, including one in which President Akufo-Addo, was seen wagging his waist unimpressively behind his wife, with their families and friends excitedly cheering them on, as they danced to good life on First Lady, Rebecca’s birthday on March 12, 2017.

Two weeks later, there was another lavish party by the First couple – specifically March 29, 2017, marking the 73 birthday of President Akufo-Addo.

Present were Vice-President, Dr. Bawumia, his wife Samira, ministers of state and other government appointees. They ate, danced, wined and dined the night away.

There had earlier been a lavish state dinner inside the Flagstaff House on January 7, 2017, to celebrate the swearing-in of Akufo-Addo as the fifth President of the Fourth Republic.

In attendance were Presidents from a number of neigbouring countries. Prior to the state dinner, there had been a party in his Nima home to celebrate his electoral victory in December shortly after his acceptance speech.

On Thursday April 13, ahead of the Easter festivities, there was another lavish party by President Akufo-Addo and First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, marking their 20th wedding anniversary.

The anniversary celebration, which took place less than a month after the President’s 73rd lavish birthday party, brought together family and friends of the first couple. Prominent among the guests were the Vice President and his wife, Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, was also in attendance.

There were performances from Amakye Dede, Daddy Lumba and Kwabena Kwabena. The president, his wife, appointees, families and friends, were seen dancing to good music after eating, drinking and cutting a huge cake to celebrate the day.

Insiders have told The Herald that, there have also been parties in the homes of the friends and families, which have gone on the quiet and uncaptured by the lenses of the cameras.

Over the weekend, Sarah Adjoa Sarfo, reportedly threw an expensive dinner party at the Fiesta Royal Hotel, to celebrate her appointment as Akufo-Addo’s Minister for Procurement. Attire for the party, was white and gold. That expensive party, has since sent tongue wagging about the source of her money.

Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has alleged that the Akufo-Addo led government, has spent an enormous amount of state funds on multiple luxurious parties since he was sworn-in as the President of Ghana.

Addressing a press conference yesterday to review the president’s 100 days in office, the deputy minority leader, James Klutse Avedzi, called on President Akufo-Addo to disclose the source of funding for the numerous parties held in his honour since his inauguration.

According to Mr. Avedzi, the opulence that characterized most of the parties are shocking as some of the drinks served were custom made with the president’s name embossed on them.

“We have seen evidence of parties with some drinks, some custom-made with his name on it…we call on the Akufo-Addo government to disclose the source of funding.”

The Minority, criticized the NPP administration over what it described as bloated government, adding that the country is under siege from state-sponsored thuggery and terrorism from vigilante groups affiliated to the NPP.

“We wish to state plainly that what the president has done is far from protecting the public purse. It constitutes a direct raid of the economy of the taxpayer. Maintaining the salaries for this large army of ministers will severely burden the poor taxpayer. These appointments translate into 110 bungalows, 110 salon cars, 110 V8 Toyota Land Cruisers, 110 guards, 220 police guards in their bungalows.

“More importantly, it represents a direct breach of his pledge to cut waste in public expenditure. He has acted in a way that will introduce more waste in government finances. Simply put, President Akufo-Addo has been wasteful and has not been candid with Ghanaians. Mr President, prune down your 110 ministers now.”

Mr. Avedzi, added that the president has failed to protect the public purse, despite his promise on the campaign trail to bring unprecedented economic growth and good governance to Ghana.

The minority added that, the so-called achievements touted by Vice President, Dr. Bawumia on Monday, are nothing but a total deception.