GHANA: Fear and Panic Grips Presidency over a ‘toxic mix’ of Curses and Covid-19 related deaths
The presidency of Ghana is in the state of Panic and fear Starr Radio UK can confirm.
Reliable and deep throat sources within the seat of government (Jubilee House) told our reporter, the President Nana Akufo-Addo was in shocked when reports reached him over the death of another of his appointees and a close friend – Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie popularly known as Sir John after a very short illness.
Did Sir John Died of Covid-19 or Curses?
In a country where the practice and belief in the effectiveness of the gods to revenge and render justice is not in short supply, the ruling government and the presidency is said to be very worried especially over the recent invocation of curses on the leadership of the party by several of its members during the recently ended primaries to elect parliamentary candidates.
Readers will recall that residents of Sefwi Juaboso in the Western Region recently invoked curses on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) and the government over what they described as unfair treatment against the people of Juaboso.
According to the aggrieved residents, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie in collaboration of Juaboso Forestry Operations Manager, Charles Owusu and some Soldiers have arrested over 5000 pieces of woods and over 1000 beams from illegal operators to go and sell it in Accra to add to the consolidated fund.
Panic or Precaution?
President Nana Akufo-Addo last week suspended cabinet meetings because of COVID-19 invasion among members of his cabinet after the Regional Reorganisation and Education Ministers were admitted at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra.
Former party chairman of the New Patriotic Party who is currently President Akufo Addo’s campaign manager, Mr Peter Mac Manu is currently on admission at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital upon testing positive with Covid-19. With him on admission is the current deputy minister of trade, Mr Carlos Ahenkorah who recently went through primaries to represent the people of Tema West constituency.
With the passing of the Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Hon. K.K Sam and the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Vice Chairman, Late Sam Cudjoe on the 15th and 26th June respectively, the passing of Sir John who once served the party as general secretary, the presidency is said to be wondering if the government has prioritise political expediency over the precious lives of Ghanaians by going ahead with the voters registration exercise.
Clearly, the rise in coronavirus cases which is almost about 18,000 now must compel Nana Akufo-Addo and the ruling party to rethink their strategy especially when social distancing rules are not being observed.
Brief Profile of Sir John
Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie was born in the Ashanti Region.
He attended Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School in Bekwai from where he obtained his GCE Ordinary level certificate.
He then proceeded to obtain his GCE Advanced level certificate from Konongo Odumase Secondary School in Konongo.
Mr Owusu Afriyie was admitted to study political science at the University of Ghana after which he enrolled at the Ghana School of Law where he graduated with Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
He was then admitted as a solicitor and counsel for the Supreme Court of Ghana.
Sir John entered into private law practice in 1981.
During the John Agyekum Kufuor administration, he was appointed head of legal services at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
He was later made to act as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the corporation.
While managing his firm, Afriyie was also actively engaged in Ghanaian politics.
He served as the General Secretary of the NPP from 2010 to 2014. He lost his bid to secure a second term to Kwabena Agyei Agyapong.