Renowned Ghanaian broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere has praised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, describing him as the most influential figure in Ghana’s 4th Republic.
Speaking at the launch of his book, Africa’s New Constitutional Leadership: 77 Stories that Defined Ghana’s 4th Republic, on November 29, 2024, Adom-Otchere highlighted President Akufo-Addo’s transformative contributions to Ghana’s political journey. He referenced key moments such as the ‘Kume Preko’ protests of the 1990s and the president’s dynamic political campaigns as evidence of his profound impact.
Adom-Otchere noted that Akufo-Addo’s influence extends beyond electoral successes, marking a significant legacy in governance and the advancement of democracy in Ghana.
The broadcaster’s remarks reflect the central narrative of his book, which documents pivotal events in Ghana’s 4th Republic and the roles played by various leaders in shaping the nation’s political history.
“Nana Akufo-Addo, the most impactful politician of the 4th Republic. We considered mobilisation, demonstration and influencing as an important aspect of democracy.
“We say in the 4th Republic, Nana Addo is the greatest mobiliser from the ‘Kume preko’ event and we talked about the department of campaign and elections. And we say again that as far as the 4th Republic is concerned, for his mammoth campaign in the 1998 Sunyani contest that he lost. And the impetus that he gave to the NPP’s 2000 campaign, the famous ‘wo mba tsa k3mi’ [we’re changing government] puts Akufo-Addo as the one who leads the Department of Campaign and Elections.
He stated that President Akufo-Addo exceeded the conciliatory efforts of his contemporaries, referencing the 2008 election when he acknowledged his defeat.
“And then we come to conciliatory politics, and that is also another important department of democracy which has sustained the 4th Republic. No one comes close to Akufo-Addo who conceded defeat, with just 25,000 separating himself, and the winner in 2008. So on conciliatory politics, he wins there too.”
Paul Adom-Otchere commended the President for promoting media diversity during the electoral proceedings, in which the court-mandated equal airtime for all political parties.
“And then we come to enhancing media plurality, enhancing media plurality, Akufo-Addo had led in the courts many of the cases that granted independent media, especially the case titled the NPP vrs GBC, where the Supreme Court established the obligation of the state broadcaster to allow equal time to all political parties during elections. There again, enhancing media plurality, we give it to Akufo-Addo.
President Akufo-Addo was also noted for his role in enhancing the electoral college of the New Patriotic Party.
“Expanding the franchise, there too, it’s Akufo-Addo’s take because it was he who in 2010 decided that if the NPP was going to expand the electoral college which votes for its leaders, it used to be just 2,000 people, he decided that he will not participate if the party cannot amend to expand what they have today. So on expanding the franchise, which is an important part of democracy, we give it to Akufo-Addo.”
