A group of supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party knowns as Alliance for Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA) is demanding for the revocation of the appointment of radio presenter, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey popularly known as Abeiku Santana as an ambassador of the National Covid-19 Trust Fund.
In a letter signed by Executive Secretary of the Group, Sir Obama Pokuase and sighted by Dreamzfmonline, the group said it has received the news of the appointment of Abeiku Santana, who is a known member and failed Parliamentary aspirant of the NDC, as ambassador of the Covid-19 Trust Fund with grave concern.
According to the group, while the appointment of an ambassador is crucial in aiding government’s efforts to mobilize funds for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, such appointment must be given to persons who believe and share in the vision of the NPP’s government.
It said Abeiku Santana’s association with the NDC and his public pronouncements do not resonate with the vision and policies of the Akufo-Addo’s government hence, cannot lead such an initiative aimed at realizing the government’s objectives.
“While we acknowledge the urgent need for the government to tap into the competence and experience of knowledgeable people in the Creative Arts sector to complement its efforts in combating the deadly pandemic, it is equally important for the appointing authority to be wary of dubious and selfish characters gallivanting the corridors of power
To the extent that the Ambassador of the Fund shall play the role of a ‘mobilizer’, soliciting funds from the aforementioned outfits, we need persons who believe and share in the vision of the Nana Akufo-Addo-led government. Abeiku Santana’s ideologies and public pronouncements in recent times are in sharp contrast with the visions and policies of this government,” it stated.
It added “it is also trite knowledge that individuals associated with the NDC have a bad track record in handling finances and Abeiku is no exception”.
Questioning the basis of his appointment, the group recalled how Abeiku Santana supported the Covid-19 Technical Response Team set up by his party to engage what it said was destructive criticisms against government’s efforts to combat the pandemic.
“During the early stages in the outbreak of Covid-19 in Ghana, Abeiku Santana’s party, the NDC, formed a parallel Covid-19 Technical Response Team which specialized in destructive criticisms instead of partnering the government to solve the problem.
That obnoxious team, unprecedented in the history of Ghana’s multiparty democracy since 1992, had the full support and blessing of the now appointed Ambassador for the COVID-19 National Trust Fund,” it further stated.
It is therefore “calling on the Board of Trustees of Ghana’s COVID-19 National Trust Fund to withdraw the Ambassadorial appointment of Abeiku Santana as soon as possible or have itself to blame in the coming days”.
The group’s demand follows public outrage by members of the ruling party over the appointment of Abeiku Santana as the Covid-19 Trust Fund ambassador.
In a letter dated March 23, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Covid-19 National Trust Fund indicated that it has appointment the radio presenter as an ambassador.
The announcement of his appointment has, however, sparked anger among the rank and file of the NPP as they say his appointment is a betrayal to other creative personalities who had campaigned for the NPP.
