Social media users have reacted to President Akufo-Addo’s latest comments about circumstances that led to ‘galamsey’ kingpin, Aisha Huang’s departure from the country in 2018.
Speaking on a radio station in Ho on Tuesday, the President said he is not sure whether Ms. Huang was deported or she fled the country.
“I’m not still sure whether she was in fact deported. Or whether she fled the country the first time and has now come back. There still seems to be some uncertainty about it.
“But whichever way it is, she’s become the sort of nickname for all that galamsey represents”, Akufo-Addo said.
Following these remarks, a section of citizens has questioned the President’s handling of national security briefings and other vital pieces of information.
According to the critics, it is ‘unfortunate’ for the President to be in the dark about the movements of a woman who is perceived to be key in illegal mining activities in Ghana.
Through posts on both Facebook and Twitter, the critics therefore urged the President to update himself on efforts regarding the fight against illegal mining.
In 2019, the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo (an appointee of the Prez. and an agent of the Gov’t) justified the gov’t decision to discontinue Aisha Huang’s prosecution. He stated that the gov’t had decided to rather deport her. Today, Prez Akufo-Addo says he’s unsure.. pic.twitter.com/Sn9RREpJOY
— Noah (@Eph_Noah) September 13, 2022
Akufo-Addo says he isn’t sure whether Aisha Huang was deported or fled the country.
To say he’s the worst President Ghana has ever had is even being charitable to him. Tueh!
— Mr. Algebra (@musqoo_official) September 13, 2022
An excerpt of the President’s interview where he mentioned his uncertainty about Aisha Huang’s exit from the country, shows Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, visibly alarmed by the President’s remarks.
This, has also been widely criticised by some netizens.
He’s like “Damn! Nana has given me another job to do” https://t.co/n72tBUUwoN
— Ebenezer Donkoh (NY DJ) (@nydjlive) September 13, 2022
Hahahaa see Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s face when President Akufo-Addo said he’s not sure whether Aisha Huang was deported or she fled the country and has come back
pic.twitter.com/JRjtycRRkl
— Austine Woode (@obiMpenaAustine) September 13, 2022
“I’m not still sure whether she (Aisha Huang) was actually deported or she fled this country” – H.E Akufo Addo.
The leader is truly in charge
— ᴇᴅᴇᴍ ᴀɢʙᴀɴᴀ (@edemagbana) September 13, 2022
[WATCH]: PR mistake as Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Information Minister, appears to be shocked when the president, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo said “I am not sure Aisha Huang left the country.”
Video Credit: @_edemkojo pic.twitter.com/Y8lfpulmk3
— Ölele | Deep Throat Sauce
(@OleleSalvador) September 13, 2022
Meanwhile, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says the President’s comments were not in bad taste.
According to the Ofoase-Ayirebi MP, “the reason for the President’s comments is that, there is a difference between deportation and repatriation”.
In a related development, the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has expressed his resolve to prosecute notorious ‘galamsey’ poster girl, Aisha Huang for her past and recent crimes.
He says his outfit will deal swiftly with the issue and bring Aisha and her collaborators to book.
