Ayisi-Boateng’s comments counter Akufo-Addo’s oath of office – Dr. Opuni-Frimpong

General Secretary of the Christian Council, Rev Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, wants New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwarts to condemn the divisive comments by Ghana’s Ambassador to South Africa, George Ayisi-Boateng.

Mr. Ayisi-Boateng recently told members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its student wing, the Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network (TESCON) in Kumasi, that they are his priority in his dealings while at his duty post.

He explained that it is by dint of the hard work party loyalists put in, that saw the party recapture power so it will be the right thing to do.

The Ambassador urged other government appointees to do same.

Although the comments have elicited public outrage and condemnation, Mr. Ayisi-Boateng remains resolute about his pronouncements. He has laughed off calls for him to apologise to Ghanaians, many who see the comments as discriminatory.

Mr. Ayisi-Boateng believes he has been taken out of context. NPP Acting National Chairman, Freddy Blay, also believes Mr. Ayisi-Boateng was taken out of context.

However, Dr. Opuni-Frimpong said the comments by Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa were undiplomatic and runs counter to the oath taken by President Nana Akufo-Addo on his inauguration day.

“It’s like the man is still talking. The man is still granting interviews. I would wish NPP heavyweights will distance themselves from that position [and say] ‘that is not NPP, it doesn’t represent us’”, Dr. Opuni-Frimpong said on PM Express, Tuesday.

The reverend minister was not the only person to condemn the comments on the nightly current affairs programme yesterday.

Former Spokesperson for ex-President John Kufuor and the founder of the Centre for Freedom and Accuracy, Andrew Awuni, thinks Mr. Ayisi-Boateng’s comments were unfortunate.

“Mr. Ayisi-Boateng is a very experienced man and matured man…I just want to believe that this was one unfortunate act of indiscretion which should not have happened at all,” he said.

He said he is surprised that “anybody at all would want to justify the statement.” Meanwhile, calls for President Nana Akufo-Addo to remove Mr. Ayisi-Boateng has been intensifying.

A section of Ghanaians in South Africa has expressed concern about the Mr. Ayisi Boateng’s ability to deliver on his mandate in the South Africa.

Chairman of the Ghanaian Community in Johannesburg, Dr. Ellis Ayayee, said “we believe in the general development of Ghana and not a group of people. For that matter, you just can’t get up and say I am here to serve the interest of one political group first.”