GhanaPoliticsOnline.Com
In her recently released memoir titled “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson,” actress Yvonne Nelson shares the challenges she faced after organising the famous ‘Dumsor Must Stop’ protest in 2015.
The protest was against the frequent power outages, known as “dumsor,” that plagued Ghana at the time.
Ms Nelson reveals that her comfort and security were compromised as a result of the protest, with anonymous death threats being directed at her by individuals who believed she was making the government unpopular.
“As with all actions against the government, the protest came at a cost to my comfort and security. I received anonymous death threats from people who felt I was making the government unpopular,” the memoir stated.
The actress also discusses the events that unfolded after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) won the 2016 general elections.
She recalls visiting the president-elect at the time, Nana Akufo-Addo, along with some friends to congratulate him and taking a photograph together.
However, Nelson expresses regret over the photograph, stating that Akufo-Addo, who was initially perceived as a no-nonsense disciplinarian and incorruptible leader, has disappointed Ghanaians with his government’s alleged borrowing, corruption, and reckless spending.
She accuses his administration of causing an “economic dumsor,” referring to a state of economic instability and mismanagement.
She indicated: “It is a photograph I regret taking. Akufo-Addo came to the presidency with enormous goodwill. He had been projected as a no nonsense disciplinarian who would not hesitate to crack the whip on errant appointees.
“He was said to be incorruptible, and Ghanaians thought he was going to be the antidote to mass stealing at the highest level, which is euphemised as corruption. Unfortunately for Ghana and those who trusted in him, he has turned out to be a monumental disappointment whose government’s unbridled borrowing, corruption and reckless spending plunged the nation into an economic dumsor.”
The actress emphasises her aversion to politicians who espouse one set of principles but act in contrast to them when in power.
She makes it clear that she does not want to be associated with individuals who promise one thing to the public but fail to deliver on their promises after being elected into office.
