Afia Akoto Denies Throwing Shades At Akufo-Addo

A former deputy chief executive officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) has denied slamming President Akufo-Addo and his government on the birthday of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

According to Afia Akoto, now a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication Committee, she has absolutely no intention of attacking a government she served as an appointee and is likely to serve again in future.

She insists that, the post she is being berated about was harmless, as it was only words of a powerful song that won the then Candidate Kufuor a historic election victory in 2000.

“I, Afia Akoto, will never throw shades at a government I so believe in and worked for and will work again for should God give us life. Let’s stop right there and tell those who don’t know this campaign song how beautiful it was and how we all enjoyed it. Can we enjoy the day with the President today and know we only have one party legacy to build on. Please screenshot this as well if you did take the first one to your paymasters. Shame on you all who, instead of knowing well, felt there was a need to play mischief,” the one-time vociferous NPP communicator clarified.

The former MASLOC deputy CEO, days ago, celebrated the former president, who turned 84 on Wednesday, December 7, in grand style, amidst throwing some innuendos which some suggest were targeted at the current president, Nana Akufo Addo.

On that Wednesday, Afia Akoto, who is married to NDC’s deputy national organizer, Chief Hamilton Biney Nixon, dedicated her social media page to the former Ghanaian leader,with certain intriguing posts, which now looks like she unintentionally invited a big problem for herself, as far as the NPP is concerned.

In her attempt to recollect the days of old and the events that heralded Mr. Kufuor’s presidency, Afia Akoto shared words of a popular campaign song of the NPP and the former president.

“We need a man to save Mother Ghana. A humble man like J. A. Kufuor, a God-fearing man with a vision to save Mother Ghana from oppression and suppression. To make Ghana a happy home,” she quoted in the post.

Many had said that the onetime deputy communications director of the NPP was indirectly calling for a God-fearing and humble leader, like the former President, for Ghana at this time implies she was not happy with the Akufo-Addo administration.

Madam Akoto had begun the celebration of the anniversary on her Facebook timeline, saying “Today, I dedicate my entire wall in celebrating a great man and leader. President JAK. God, we thank you for the life of Papa.”

In another post that same day, Afia Akoto shared a photograph of herself and the former president, saying “Live well. Live long, live healthy Papa, we salute you, we adore you and thank God for knowing you and drinking from your well of wisdom.”

But her critics, both from the NPP and the NDC, will have none of that, as they saw her posts as a direct attack on the sitting president, who sacked her from MASLOC about two years ago.

Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, a known social media activist of the NPP and former managing director (MD) of the Accra Digital Centre, reacted on his own Facebook wall, chiding her fellow party member to be careful of what she says.

Without mentioning any name, he said it is important that people celebrate the former president, but do it in a decorous manner for the sake of the future.

Mr. Ofosu Nkansah, who is now the chief executive officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovative Programme (NEIP), said “Some NPP people comma, you can celebrate Papa Kufuor without throwing shades at other leaders. In future those you are throwing shades at will also become points of reference. It’s always like that.”

Similarly, a known NDC social media activist, Yayra Koku, waded in the matter, sharing one of the posts by the former MASLOC deputy boss.

He questioned the relevance of the post at this time, reminding his followers of how Ms Akoto was removed from MASLOC without formal notice.

“This is an internal fight, so let me keep quiet. According to Afia Akoto, she only quoted a line from Kufuor campaign song. But the question is, how relevant is that line now? Don’t forget that Afia Akoto no longer holds a government position. She was sacked without notice from MASLOC. Is she in pain?”He wrote.

Source: Anchorghana