Ghana’s High Commissioner to SA has apologized for the demeaning partisan comments to the effect that he will serve the interest of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members ahead of all others.
Ayisi-Boateng has been on the receiving end of a massive backlash following his stands that NPP supporters should be prioritized ahead of other Ghanaians since they toiled endlessly with the party in her struggling days.
The High Commissioner said that supporters of the ruling NPP should be treated better than others since they (NPP supporters) were loyal to the party prior to their victory in the 2016 elections.
Ayisi-Boateng made the comment when he spoke at a ceremony to usher in fresh students of Kumasi Technical University into the Tertiary Students Confederacy Network (TESCON) of the NPP on Sunday, October 29, 2017 in Kumasi
No, it was not just an opinion; Ayisi-Boateng stated that if he had his way, every job opportunity that will come would go to a TESCON member before any other person.
His comments which were glaringly partisan, led to an uproar in the media with many calling for his resignation, sack or some drastic measures against him.
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The Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa called on President Akufo-Addo to sack the High Commissioner over the comment which he said is shameful and undeserving of a diplomat of the country.
Ablakwa was not alone; various stakeholders called on the President to take drastic disciplinary actions against Ghana’s High Commissioner to SA.
The Minority in Parliament, as well as civil society groups such as OccupyGhana and the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, also called for Mr Ayisi-Boateng’s resignation.
Following the massive backlash, Ghana’s High Commissioner To SA issued an unqualified apology and retracted his much-criticized comments in which he pledged to prioritize NPP members in his dealings.
Though he had initially defended his comments and refused to bow to critics calling on him to render an unqualified apology to the nation or risk losing his appointment, Mr. Ayisi-Boateng decided to give in to the numerous calls for him to retract his comments.
The apology and retraction were contained in a letter signed by the diplomat and dated November 1, 2017.
I regret the effect of my speech delivered to the young party members which have generated a public outcry. I therefore wish to retract my comments and render an unqualified apology to the presidency and all Ghanaians, part of his statement read.
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