President Nana Akufo-Addo "needs people like me" to help him succeed in building Ghana, former Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, has said.
The former campaign manager of Nana Akufo-Addo said on Sunday, 12 February that he wishes he could freely approach Ministers in the new Akufo-Addo government to sell his ideas about how to develop Ghana, in line with the president's urge to Ghanaians to be "citizens and not spectators", but the "gates" of officialdom are shut to people like him, who do not belong the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), thus, stifling his patriotic efforts.
"I can do it …", he told TV3's Hot Issues programme, by putting "young people who are roaming the streets to work." "It can be done, but we haven't got the willpower to do it," the former National Security Advisor to late President John Mills complained.
"I want to approach many ministers today, I've got ideas about agriculture, ideas about security, ideas about many issues, but to get the minister to talk to you, it's difficult," he observed.
Asked why gaining access to the presidency should be a problem for him considering that he could easily have access to the president, who he has described on many occasions as a "friend", Mr Nunoo-Mensah said: "If I went to him [President Nana Akufo-Addo], they [the people around the president] will say I'm coming to him to ask for a job. I'm not coming to ask for a job, at this age I don't need any more jobs."
"I have no problem with Akufo-Addo, I've been with NPP and I know the hardliners there, what they didn't want – they think that when you go near the areas of power, you are going to ask for a favour, I've never asked for a favour in my entire life … I don't ask for favours … I don't need favours from anybody."
He said despite the president's call on citizens to participate in developing the country, "it's not easy trying to get in touch with them [ministers], they won't pick your call, I'm telling you. You see, this is horrifying," he noted.
Citing an example to buttress his point, Brig Gen Nunoo-Mensah said: "I wouldn't want to be here and say things about people that will not be palatable, [but] I called one individual, I said: 'I want to see you.' He said: 'I'm going into a meeting, call me at 4 O'clock.' I never called him again! You [the individual] are half my age, why should I call you?" he wondered to the host, saying: "… So this is the attitude, which is sad. … I want to be able to talk to them, but I can't get the chance. The president says we should be participants, if you don't open the gate how can I get in there and participate?"
"[So the president should open his gate] so that we go there and talk to them. We can build Ghana. Tell him that I say I can build Ghana. He knows me very well. … I was his campaign manager and what a wonderful time [that was]. He needs people like me – I'm not boasting…" the 80-year-old former military officer said
Source: 3news.com
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I have never regarded this man to be serious for once. This former soldier is an embarrassment. This is hypocrisy at its best. This were the people who were ruling this country and wonder the whole country is in a mess. Please general spare us......
Stop day dreaming cos this is an imposiblity, Nana dont need u to succeed in his government
Another devil. You were in JM's government yet he failed....or?? Sasabonsam.
This fullish ediot still thinks we are under JJ Rawlings PNDC /NDC regime ; who needs Nunoo-Mensah a lyer and a thiff who salutes a junior officer in the army ; Nana Addo has no time for attention seekers like this soldiers who never went to war but calls himself a General .
hahaha...just cant stop laughing. this man paa
Reason: you're 200 years above pensionable age! Grandpa, bye!
Good morning General. You are now being an embarrassment to the officer corps. Please lets maintain the sanctity of our profession
Oh! I hope to be healthy like this man if I'm lucky to be 80 years. He is not a fan of me though but we should be careful in using words to describe the elderly.
Trying so hard to be decent but this uncle ewi also trying so hard to bring the nastiness out of me to say things that's not supposed to be said in public to an elderly man 👴.. what do you want for lad man?
Brigadier. Stop the press and media show. All you need to do is yo write down your ideas and seek to discuss with the president. At your age and prominence it should not be too difficult to bid your time and patiently wait for an appointment. To Wo bo ase Wai.