The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) says President Nana Akufo-Addo did not reprimand Henry Quartey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, at Friday, June 9 ‘Green Ghana’ event in Accra.
There have been various interpretations of a viral video that emerged from the event, which appeared to show the President expressing disapproval of an incident at the event to Mr Quartey when the National Anthem was played.
President Akufo-Addo was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, which marked the 2023 national tree planting exercise, at the University of Ghana campus.
In a statement signed and issued by the Acting Chief Director of GARCC, Mrs Jemima Lomotey the Council explained that the President had directed the Regional Minister to take prompt action regarding some invited guests who chose to remain seated and disregard the National Anthem that was played before the start of the programme.
“The President and all others had been up on their feet in patriotic reverence to the National Anthem. Acting on the President’s directive, the Regional Minister promptly approached the individuals concerned and gave them the necessary information and guidance.
“It is important to emphasise that the Regional Minister sat alongside H.E. the President throughout the entire event, exemplifying their harmonious collaboration,” it said.
The Council said it felt compelled to clarify issues following what it described as unfortunate interpretations of the video.
“We, therefore, urge the public and all well-meaning persons to disregard the contemptuous spin to the video, which appears crafted to create unwarranted public disaffection,” it said.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw, the Chief of Mempeasem in Accra, who also graced the event, has apologised to the nation for not standing up to observe the National Anthem at the event.
In a statement, the Chief explained that he was not feeling well on the day, hence his inability to be on his feet when the national anthem was played.
Read the Coordination Council’s full statement below
MISCONCEPTION OF A SHORT VIDEO DEPICTING THE PRESIDENT’S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GREATER ACCRA REGIONAL MINISTER
The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council has taken notice of a short video circulating on various social media platforms. The video depicts the President of the Republic H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo instructing the Regional Minister Hon. Henry Quartey to take instant action on a situation, during the Green Ghana Day event held on Friday 9th June at the Mensah Sabah Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon campus.
We feel compelled to address certain misconceptions arising from this footage, as some have unfortunately misinterpreted the video to presume that the President was expressing fury at the Greater Aura Regional Minister.
On the contrary, the President was Instructing the Regional Minister to take prompt action regarding some Invited guests who chose to remain seated in disregard to the National Anthem that was played before the start of the program. The President and all others had been up on their feet in patriotic reverence to the National Anthem.
Acting on the President’s directive, the Regional Minister promptly approached the individuals concerned and gave them the necessary Information and guidance. It Is Important to emphasize that the Regional Minister sat alongside H.E. the President throughout the entire event, exemplifying their harmonious collaboration.
As has been his mode of appreciation to key invited guests at such functions, the President, after the program, exchanged pleasantries with the special invited guests including the persons who were educated at his instance by the Regional Minister
We therefore urge the public and all well-meaning persons to disregard the contemptuous spin to the video which appears crafted to create unwarranted public disaffection.
We also call on all residents of the region to support the Greater Accra Regional Minister as he advances the “Let’s Make Greater Accra Work’ agenda to improve the lot of our region. Together we can make Greater Accra a cleaner, healthier, and resilient space to live in.
Thank you.
-SIGNED-
MRS. JEMIMA LOMOTEY
Ag. CHIEF DIRECTOR, GARCC