The Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG--GH) has described President Akufo Addo's performance in last Wednesday's media encounter as "abysmal".

In analysing the event,the CDG-Gh concluded that the president exhibited the lack of respect he has for Ghanaians.

This was carried in a report released on Friday by the centre.

"The absence of decorum on the part of the President, is therefore an affront to the people of Ghana," the statement read.

Below is the full statement from CDG-Gh

CAUCUS FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE -GHANA(CDG-GH)

PRESS RELEASE 21st December, 2018


NANA ADDO`S ENCOUNTER WITH THE MEDIA : A TOTAL FIASCO OR A GENUINE ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS ISSUES ?

The Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG--GH), observing the President`s encounter with the Media, could only conclude that the President`s arrogant body language and posture, reflects the lack of respect he has for the Ghanaian people. In the encounter, the President represented his government, while the media represented the people of Ghana. The absence of decorum on the part of the President, is therefore an affront to the people of Ghana.

In 2017 the President had two similar Press encounters, where his abysmal performance showed his limited understanding of issues in question. More often than not, questions thrown at him were referred to his Ministers and Vice President, who were caught unaware.

In yesterday`s ( Wednesday, 19th December 2018) encounter, the President came thirty minutes (30 min ) late ; a care less attitude which demands apology by the good people of Ghana from the president . Pretending to be busy invariably “about nothing” the President did a monologue that took nearly 40 minutes. The encounter saw the shortest time allocation for media questions. Only Fifteen (15) out of seventy potential questions were allowed from the media, many of them pooly answered by the president and his appointees.
For the greater part of the media encounter, the President showed little or no knowledge about specifics of daily governance, and so had to call on his ministers for rescue . Surprisingly he appeared not to have any knowledge about issues on the Ghana Medical Store Fire Investigation; a national catastrophe which must have appeared in the hand over notes from former Presidednt John Mahama and the NDC goverment. As usual of the president, critical national issues which demanded answers were quickly sensored making sure that no questions were asked which could expose his lack of competence.
The CDG-GH views the the media encounter as shambolic , deceptive, a diversionary tactics from the numerous corruption been perpetuated by the President and his NPP goverment on the good people of Ghana and a total waste on the state coffers .
The President was badly in a hurry and said he wanted to end the barricade of questions at seven (7pm). The fear of answering questions on the growing incidence of corruption in his government the shielding of his corrupt appointees and Ministers, the macroeconomic indicators which does not reflect in the pockets of the ordinary Ghanaian ; had so scared him, and was forcing him to call for the end of the programme to the disappointment of many invited Journalist.

The CDG-GH would like to remind the President, that without the people he would not be President. He should therefore prepare adequately during such future Media encounters in other to preserve the diginity of the high office of the presidency and save the nation from any future embarrassment.

Dr E.K.Hayfod
Chief Convener CDG-GH
0277606338 / 0542490709