Security consultant Professor Kwesi Aning has recounted the challenges he faced during the 8-year tenure of the Akufo-Addo administration, describing the period as “hell.” According to him, he endured severe targeting and restrictions on his freedom of speech due to his candid comments on national issues.
In an interview with Accra-based Starr FM, Professor Aning revealed that his professional capacity to express his views was undermined, compared to earlier administrations. He explained that during the Akufo-Addo era, he was subjected to threats and attempts to stifle his work, which made it difficult for him to carry out his duties effectively.
My expectation is to be able to speak the way I’ve always spoken. But I’ve always said this earlier: I could speak and write, and I went to bed in peace. You know, nobody threatened to cut my salary. Nobody threatened, called my former bosses to dismiss me.
The last eight years have been hell for me just for doing what I’ve been trained with the Ghanaian taxpayers’ money to do. So my expectations are very simple: Give me the space to do my work to help you and to help the people of Ghana. I mean, it’s very straightforward. This should not be difficult to do.
He also expressed hope that the newly sworn-in Mahama administration would create an enabling environment for professionals like himself to contribute to national development without fear of intimidation.
Professor Aning called on Ghanaians to rally behind President John Dramani Mahama to collectively rebuild the country and steer it toward transformation.
President Mahama was sworn into office on 7 January 2025, ushering in a new chapter in Ghana’s governance.
