A messAGe From execuTive ediTor sTeve mAllory

Ghana The lies ANd iNsulTs musT sTop Africawatch responds to Nana Akufo-Addo

e at Africawatch pride our- cancer as far back as June 2013 at the selves on being one of the Wellington Hospital in London and that he most uncompromising, un- had since been undergoing treatment at that biased and truthful pan- hospital. African magazines, and it From Akufo-Addo’s medical records that was in that spirit that we we obtained, it is obvious that he has an Wcovered in our August issue the health acute kidney injury as well as an enlarged status of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, heart, all of which are life-threatening the presidential candidate of ’s main diseases, and for which he has been opposition (NPP). We receiving medical attention at the Welling- felt it was a story of vital national and inter- ton Hospital and, indeed, has undergone national interest, with ramifications for catheterization at that medical facility. Ghanaians in the upcoming election as We wholly sympathize with Akufo-Addo regarding Akufo-Addo’s personal health as he battles against these serious diseases. and ability to withstand the rigors of the Our thoughts and prayers are also with presidency. his brother, Edward ‘Bumpty’ Akufo-Addo, In that cover story, we stated that we had who is also seriously ill at this time. Edward clear medical proof that the NPP presiden- has been at the side of the presidential tial candidate did not have only prostate candidate since the 2008 elections as a cancer but also other serious complications. leading member of his personal finance Executive Editor Steve Mallory We said he had been diagnosed with prostate team. We understand that with two key

6 September 2016 l Africawatch Nana Akufo-Addo is at a crossroads, as he faces the very real challenges of serious ill-health both to himself and his brother, while his political party, the NPP, faces financial problems and internal strife.

Africawatch l September 2016 7 members of the Akufo-Addo family being believe in the health services they build for critically ill at the same time, this is a very their own people), while the duties of state difficult situation for the family to bear, and are farmed out to subordinates who may not we ask the Almighty God to bring them to a be up to scratch or may abuse such power speedy recovery. suddenly thrown into their laps, to the As we stated in the Akufo-Addo cancer detriment of the nation. story, illness is, of course, a very private Since our August issue hit the Ghanaian affair, and sharing such information is newsstands, people from Akufo-Addo’s usually an individual decision for any faction within the NPP have attacked private citizen, just like Edward. But when Africawatch in a well-orchestrated campaign one is making a run for the presidency, full of lies and insults, and many of these such as Akufo-Addo is doing, then the entire attacks have been directly upon me, both public has a right to know the state of that personally and professionally. candidate’s health, because of the massive We believe that our credibility and repu- responsibilities that come with the position. tation are strong enough to absorb these Akufo-Addo is no longer simply a private unwarranted and provocative attacks. citizen, so his health status is no longer just Akufo-Addo’s men engaged in very crude a private matter, and the people he seeks diversionary tactics, some using absurd to govern have the right to know about language, but none of them has responded his illness, and such medical transparency directly to the substance and actual facts far outweighs Akufo-Addo’s right to such of the report. So far there has been no clear privacy. denial by Akufo-Addo himself or his people In as much as we sympathize with Akufo- of what Africawatch reported. The Ghana edition of the August Addo, we were duty-bound to report his issue of Africawatch ran this diagnosis of prostate cancer and his medical When a big man lies … important cover story as we believe complications. such reporting and transparency What Akufo-Addo’s men have done is to is for the ultimate good of an President Atta Mills’ example bring forward a local Ghanaian doctor, Prof. informed public. Adu Gyamfi, who claimed that he has been Akufo-Addo’s cancer story is extremely treating Akufo-Addo for the past two years, important and necessary to enable an open in an attempt to refute the substance of national discourse regarding the personal our report. He stated that Akufo-Addo’s health of anyone running for such an impor- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) was not the tant and powerful office as the presidency extremely high 89.9 which we reported, but of Ghana. The country has been through was only 0.03. this before, when President John Atta Mills But when asked whether his famous was impaired by serious illness while in patient had ever been to Wellington Hospital office, and how that was kept secret until his in London, Prof. Gyamfi responded that he sudden death while still in power, leaving didn’t know. This response from someone the country in a very vulnerable state who has been treating a 72-year-old man for In as much as during the transition period. the past two years is striking. Prof. Gyamfi we sympathize with We at Africawatch believe that the appears to suggest that he took on Akufo- Akufo-Addo, we were medical records that we have made public Addo as a patient at the age of 70 without revealing the true state of health of Presi- checking his prior medical history before duty-bound“ to report his dential Candidate Akufo-Addo are of treating him. If he had done so, he could diagnosis of prostate national importance and we have only those have easily given at least a yes or no cancer and his medical interests in mind. Nothing more, nothing response to the simple question of whether less! Akufo-Addo has ever been to the Wellington complications. ... We at We published the story purely out of Hospital. Africawatch believe that duty and obligation to the nation. Whatever This alone calls into serious doubt his the medical records that anybody may say, the nation deserves to assertion of a current PSA count of 0.03, or know the health status of its leaders or anything else he may have to say regarding we have made public aspiring leaders. Being a president is a very the candidate’s state of health. It would revealing the true state serious and stressful job that deserves to be appear the professor doctor has been far of health of Presidential done by healthy persons elected to do so by from truthful in this important matter. Candidate Akufo-Addo the people. Which brings us to the substance of our There is no virtue in electing a president report. Akufo-Addo’s one clear response to are of national importance whose ill health would impair the person’s all the issues raised by our story was to state and we have only those ability to execute his or her presidential at a rally in the Northern Region: “Now, they interests in mind. Nothing duties and mandate properly. Such a presi- say I have cancer, it will not work.” This, of dent would spend much time in hospitals course, neither confirms nor denies the truth more, nothing less! abroad (usually abroad, never at home, an of the medical facts as we have reported admission that African presidents don’t them. And not denying those facts speak to

8 September 2016 l”Africawatch the truth of what we reported. However, Akufo-Addo seems to be openly implying that we at Africawatch are “out to get him,” giving his men the wherewithal to propagate the same. But it is simply not true that Africawatch is out to get Akufo-Addo. Here, it is imperative that I explain some few things, particularly my prior and current relationship with Akufo-Addo.

Personal friendship

As public records will indicate, in the past I was involved in the center-right politics of Ghana and was active in that, helping raise funds, as well as personally contributing to the campaign of some candidates, particu- larly Akufo-Addo. But I quit active politics in 2009 to return to journalism, after which I indicated clearly to Akufo-Addo, on several occasions, that as a journalist I would remain neutral in Ghanaian party politics, and the magazine I edit would also remain neutral in Ghanaian politics. But as a friend, I have supported Akufo- Addo in the past. For those who do not know and are saying all sorts of things, I have given Akufo-Addo money in the past to support his campaigns, but he has never, Blay, and his wife, Gina – has alleged that Freddie Blay, acting chairman of ever given me one cent or one pesewa for my Africawatch was paid by the ruling National the NPP and owner of the Daily personal use, contrary to what his men are Democratic Congress (NDC) to publish the Guide, has recently been publishing alleging. I dare Akufo-Addo to prove me Akufo-Addo cancer story. Theirs was a false stories about Africawatch, wrong. concocted accusation of course, but one and he appears to be doing so While I was in active politics, I did not obviously published to do Akufo-Addo’s directly on behalf of Akufo-Addo. have any personal issues with Akufo-Addo. bidding. But how do Blay and his wife, and My only concern was how Akufo-Addo’s the master they want to please, square this campaign funds were poorly handled and circle: When Africawatch publishes articles misused. I am therefore not surprised that that are critical of Akufo-Addo’s opponents, people are not too keen this time around to does Akufo-Addo pay us for those stories? open their wallets in support of the NPP Of course not! 2016 campaign. We have always sought to remain neutral I know people across the Ghanaian politi- in Ghanaian politics. We have stayed in the cal divide. But as an editor, I have to do what middle and criticized the two main parties, Since our August is best for the country. I cannot and would the NDC and the NPP, when criticism was not allow friendships or personal relation- due and praised them when praise was due. issue hit the Ghanaian ships to influence my job. And they have And we will continue to play this role. newsstands, people from never influenced my job. But in their desperation to run down our Akufo-Addo’s faction I have always been objective and truthful August story, and even Africawatch as a “ in my journalistic endeavors, and in the magazine, Chairman Blay and his wife within the NPP have course of my career, I have published stories have claimed in their newspaper that some attacked Africawatch that may be interpreted as helping or people had advance copies of our August in a well-orchestrated hurting all sides of the Ghanaian political issue before it got to Accra, and so therefore campaign full of lies and divide. All my publications are based on they must have had an inside connection indisputable evidence, and I am ready at any and foreknowledge of Akufo-Addo’s cancer insults ... We believe time to produce evidence in support of these story. This is absolutely false. that our credibility and assertions, including those related to the Africawatch is an international publica- reputation are strong recent story on the health status of Akufo- tion based in New York. More often than not Addo. – and this happened with the August issue enough to absorb – when the magazine is released in New these unwarranted Doing Akufo-Addo’s bidding York, because of freight shipment difficul- and provocative ties, it can take quite some time for it to ar- A local newspaper, Daily Guide – run by rive in other countries, particularly Ghana. attacks. the acting chairman of the NPP, Freddie So it is likely that some people in Ghana

Africawatch l September 2016”9 character of Blay, the man behind the Daily Guide, who in his own way, possibly altered Ghana’s history. While a Member of Parlia- ment for Ellembelle on the ticket of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) some years ago, the then-ruling NPP government was very generous to Blay, even making him the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament. He almost got everything he wanted from the NPP, and yet he was never satisfied. At the time, some people inside the NPP had realized that John Mahama, then the MP for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, could someday become president, so they were scheming to offer a cushy international job in the UK as bait to get him out of the country. Unaware of this plot, Mahama went ahead and applied for the job. But when a letter arrived in Parliament inviting Mahama to come over to London for his interview regarding that job, the Speaker was out of town, and this invitation fell on Blay’s desk, so he secretly replaced Mahama with himself. He then went for the interview in London, failed miserably and returned home quietly. Blay’s greed destroyed that plan, and as fate would have it, Mahama finally became president. Perhaps if Blay had not been so greedy, Supporters of the New Patriotic obtain electronic or hard copies of the Mahama would have gone for that interview, Party are now facing troubling magazine directly from New York City or gotten himself hired, and moved to London questions about the internal other distribution locations before the bulk for the job as it had all been arranged. Then workings of their own party as consignment arrive in Accra. the history of Ghana may not have been as well as the health and welfare of What is more: In their rashness to dimin- it is today. But this fact does not change: The their presidential candidate. ish or damage the influence of Africawatch NPP was wrong with Blay then, and it is in Ghana, Blay and his wife reported in the wrong with the man now. Daily Guide that we circulate only 1,000 But enough of the past. The truth remains copies a month in Ghana and that for the that Akufo-Addo’s ill health does not allow August issue we shipped 4,000 copies there. for a sustained and rigorous election cam- That is simply ridiculous. paign, and it does not do any favors to the Since its founding in 2009, Africawatch party and even the presidential candidate Now it appears has made a good connection with its Ghana- himself. The man is struggling to maintain Akufo-Addo has hit a ian readership, one that is reflected in a sustained period on the campaign without our sales every month. We are in about 160 breaking it off to seek medical attention. snag that poses a threat outlets throughout the capital, Accra, and 50 to the NPP campaign. additional outlets in Kumasi. We also have Playing hide and seek “ a considerable presence on the newsstands Three critical factors in all the 10 regions of the country – no other On September 8, after two weeks or so of have come into play: magazine has that reach in Ghana! Regard- his faction in the NPP raising hell about the The first is the fact that ing the August issue, we shipped a total of Africawatch report on his prostate cancer, Akufo-Addo’s ill health is 17,750 copies to Ghana and this figure can Akufo-Addo sneaked out of the country on taking a serious toll on be verified with the appropriate authorities a British Airways flight to London for a at the Kotoka International Airport. routine medical treatment. Because of our him. Second, his brother’s Chairman Blay and his wife are out of story, no announcement was made about deteriorating health has order propagating lies intended to tarnish Akufo-Addo’s sudden departure to London. become a major distraction the reputation of Africawatch just because In fact, he used a lecture in Accra on they want to please their master. That is Ghana’s economy by his running mate, Dr. for him as well. Third, the unethical. Mahamudu Bawumia, as a cover to slip Akufo-Addo family is out to London. Akufo-Addo showed up at financially weak and the Greedy Blay Bawumia’s lecture all right, to keep up appearances in fact, but after the event, NPP is almost broke. Let me take this opportunity to share one when everybody was digesting what the of many interesting stories regarding the former deputy governor of Ghana’s central

10 September 2016 l ”Africawatch bank had said in his lecture, the presidential candidate took advantage of the din after the lecture to make good his escape to London for medical treatment. While in London, as usual, he did other activities as a cover-up. But insiders who saw him on his return to Accra some few days later said he did not look good. He looked weak. Now it appears Akufo-Addo has hit a snag that poses a threat to the NPP campaign. Three critical factors have come into play: The first is the fact that Akufo-Addo’s ill health is taking a serious toll on him. Second, his brother’s deteriorating health has become a major distraction for him as well. Third, the Akufo-Addo family is financially weak and the NPP is almost broke.

NPP in a quandary

Worse, the acting chairman of the party, Blay, who crossed carpet from the CPP to join the NPP, is basically seen as a stranger in the party by those leading lights of the NPP who think that Blay is causing the same confusion in the NPP as he caused in if it is a given that he will win the presiden- Nana Akufo-Addo (left) and his the CPP before he left that party. Thus, tial race when, in reality, there are huge wife Rebecca (right) arrive at some NPP stalwarts refuse to recognize him odds stacked up against him and the NPP. London’s Heathrow Airport in the as their chairman. Rather, they see him as In the last two elections in 2008 and 2012, early morning of September 9. As a man planted in the office of national the media again overhyped Akufo-Addo only before, while visiting there he did chairman to do Akufo Addo’s bidding. So in for him to fall at the finishing line. It seems other public activities to mask the effect, the center of the NPP cannot hold. the same is happening again. real reason for yet another trip to Interestingly, when Akufo-Addo talks So Akufo-Addo and his men have become the UK for medical treatment for about better managing the affairs of the very desperate and will do anything just to his prostate cancer. nation, people look at the NPP and see how win power, including insulting, maligning, the party has been mismanaged and ask, “if slandering and impugning others’ reputa- you cannot manage your own party, how can tions and characters by telling outright lies you manage the nation?” or saying anything that first comes to their As Akufo-Addo shares his plans to main- head. That must stop. On September 8, tain peace in the country, people look inside As a publication of the strictest integrity, after two weeks or so the NPP and see disgruntled party members Africawatch asks any member of Akufo- of his faction in the NPP pulling daggers at each other’s throats and Addo’s team who have made public attacks raising hell about the they ask what the heck is he talking about? on us regarding our story on Akufo-Addo’s “ When Akufo-Addo talks about bringing prostate cancer to respond to this simple Africawatch report on his unity to the nation, people look at the NPP journalistic challenge: If any part of what prostate cancer, Akufo-Addo and see only divisions and confusion in the we wrote was incorrect, we invite you to party. confront us with those facts, and we will sneaked out of the country If Akufo-Addo talks about fighting corrup- share them with the public – just as openly on a British Airways flight tion nationally, people shake their heads at as we have shared Akufo-Addo’s medical to London for a routine how NPP stalwarts have illegally diverted records that came to our attention. medical treatment. party funds with impunity, and ask how on But if there is nothing forthcoming to earth can Akufo-Addo fight corruption at the counter that important story – a story we Because of our story, no national level when he cannot fight it within believe is more vital to the nation than announcement was made his own party? personalities or politics, one whose core about Akufo-Addo’s sudden The fact of the matter is that the NPP is issues of transparency and power concern us in a quandary. Barely two months to Elec- all, then we will continue to stand on our departure to London. ... tion Day, the party is floundering. position, with the same words that we closed While in London, as usual, But the Akufo-Addo faction within the our original report with – that the people he did other activities NPP has a greater control over the Ghana- have a right to know who they are electing ian media. So at the moment the local media to lead their country, and what that person’s as a cover-up. is overhyping Akufo-Addo, making it look as condition truly is, both in body and soul. n

Africawatch l September 2016 ”11