'Akyem Mafia and Sakawa': Akufo-Addo started the name-calling agenda - Mahama

Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has hit back at critics over comments he made about President Akufo-Addo which has been described as 'ethnically intolerant'

Mr Mahama said, President Akufo-Addo should not take offense for being ‘tagged’ since he started the name-calling politics.

"He's the President who has called his critics naysayers and Jeremiahs...I don't understand what standard he can be offended at this time because he has precedence of name-calling," John Mahama,  said, as quoted by ‘pulseghana’

President Akufo-Addo had earlier described as disturbing, some comments passed by Mahama about his ethnic group, which he considered an ‘ethnocentric tag' adding that "that is the kind of language we don't want in our politics."

"Sometimes, one would hope when things come out, people will comment on them. The comment made by my opponent 'Akyem Sakawa' people, I have not heard any public figure in this country or anybody comment on it," he said at a meeting with the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference at the Jubilee House on Friday, August 4, 2020.

He said, "If I was to get up to make a comment about northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that will be in the country."

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But Mahama in response said, the President instigated the name-calling business, therefore, he has no right to complain.

Mahama said however noted that he will "be the last person to disparage any tribe or ethnic group."

Mahama clarified the issue about ‘ethnocentric comments’ in an interview on TV XYZ on Saturday.

 "In the first place, the National Chairman of my party, Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, NDC, is an Akyem and so are many leading members of my party and members and supporters and when I was President, I appointed many Akyems in my government."

"The head of our Manifesto Drafting Committee, Prof Danso Barfuor, is an Akyem and they have all contributed to our government and our forward march to recapture power in the December elections in order that we can create jobs, spread development in an equitable manner throughout the country," Mahama noted.

"Everybody knows me since I’ve been in politics and I’ll be the last to express any ethnic sentiments...President Nana Akufo-Addo has lost the right to complain a long time ago."