Editorial: Akufo-Addo’s Presidency and the Meek Mill Jubilee House Video

 

Ghanaians woke on the morning of Monday, January 9, 2023 to scenes of the most secured and protected building in the country all over social media. This building – the Jubilee House, serves as the seat of government and is currently being occupied by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

In many instances, one would immediately assume the President has with open arms welcomed Ghanaian citizens or journalists to the Jubilee House in the spirit of transparency and in an effort to listen and attempt to relate to the many hardships facing Ghanaians as the country’s economy is currently at the worst it has ever been in two decades.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. The video circulating around social media is a rap music video by an American rapper – Meek Mill. He was one of several American musicians and celebrities to visit and perform in Ghana as part of the two-day AfroNation festival sponsored by the Year of Return and Diaspora Affairs at the office of the President.

Many reactions on Twitter and other social media platforms show that Ghanaians are thoroughly revolted by the desecration of the Jubilee House in such an appalling manner. This video, not only disrespects the seat of the government but also poses a security threat as some scenes show shots from drone cameras which if falls into wrong hands could compromise the most secure building in the country.

It is equally important to note that in 2018, Ghanaian journalist Godwin Allotey among other journalists were allegedly detained for several hours for taking pictures outside the Jubilee House. Yet, a non-Ghanaian musician uses the compound of the seat of government in question as a backdrop for profane lyrics.

Many are the questions arising on social media about how we got here and how the President could belittle himself and the executive seat of government in such a degrading manner.

However, more fundamental questions are staying on the minds of Ghanaians, mainly the double standards by which a sworn-in President of Ghana offers preferential treat to non-Ghanaians at the expense of citizens who voted for him.

The issue of opening the doors of the Jubilee House to an almost washed-off American rapper in basketball shorts should come at no surprise when one understands how President Akufo-Addo governs this country.

Akufo-Addo, has proven over time and on numerous occasions that he values the perception and publicity of international media and the global community more than the needs of his people.

He rents luxurious private jet at $18,000 an hour to travel to participate in speaking engagements at which he touts his own horn about the good living conditions of Ghana while the cedi – the country’s major currency further depreciates against the American Dollar and other major currencies.

He does not engage with local Ghanaian media but jumps at any opportunity to speak to the international media. This comes at a time where Ghanaian media and journalists are not being protected.

He pours government support and finances through the beyond the return campaign which aims to draw in Black diaspora all over the world to visit, live, and buy properties in Ghana by branding Ghana as a paradise and safe haven for all Black people, while Ghanaians who are unironically also Black are met with severe economic hardships. And like many Addo D projects that are marred by opacity, there is a lack of accountability and transparency by the beyond the return secretariat on how much revenue is being generated at this juncture and what these revenues are being used for. Instead, Ghanaians are facing another increase in VAT in order for the government of Ghana to pay off its international debt.

Lastly, one can understand the frustrationss of the everyday Ghanaian, who is not allowed to so much as come in walking close distance of the gates of the Jubilee yet, the entire world is privy to hearing explicit lyrics from a non-Ghanaian in a compound where matters of national security and importance are supposed to be taken rather seriously for the betterment of all Ghanaians.

It is only wise and appropriate for Ghanaians to start questioning if they indeed have a president that is serving them and placing their needs at the forefront of his agenda or do Ghanaians have a commander-in-chief of Global Ghanaian entertainment and public relations?

Asem sebe!

Source: Ghananewsonline.com.gh