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Akufo-Addo did not accept to be interviewed for my book – Manasseh
Investigative journalist and author Manasseh Azure Awuni has shared the challenges he faced in attempting to interview President Akufo-Addo for his forthcoming book, “The President Ghana Never Got.”
The 400-page book documents major events during the 8-year reign of President Akufo-Addo.
According to him, he engaged with the President’s cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko to secure an interview with the President, however, all efforts proved futile.
Narrating the happening on JoyNews’ AM Show, he said “I initially wanted to speak to President Akufo-Addo when writing this book. I remember speaking to his cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko… people had told me that he [the President] wasn’t happy with the work I was doing. So I asked Gabby if there was a possibility of speaking to him, and he said, ‘I don’t think he will speak to you.’ I asked why, and he said, ‘The President thinks you’ve been mean to him’.”
“And I said ‘But I even spoke to former President Mahama [despite criticising him]’ and Gabby said ‘People are different and how they process things differs’,” he added.
Returning to Mr Otchere-Darko, the investigative journalist said he was advised to send a letter to the President first.
However, given the timing and his looming deadline, he decided not to pursue this further.
He further noted that even though he was unable to speak directly with the President, he managed to conduct extensive interviews with other members of the government, which provided valuable insights.
“I spoke to a number of people within his government who confirmed a lot of things, and I had an extensive interview with Gabby for about two hours, where I asked questions about some of the decisions, the family, among other things,” he said.
“So I don’t think I missed anything significant from not speaking to the president for this book. I would have loved to but the circumstances didn’t permit,” he stressed.
“The President Ghana Never Got” is a 400-paged and 40-chaptered book on the reign of President Akufo-Addo.
Announcing the launch of the book, the journalist said it has “revealing and riveting content, which some may find explosive.”
It would be launched on August 8, 2024, at the Christ the King Parish Hall, Opposite the Jubilee House in Accra.
This book is his latest project on successive governments. In 2016, when the country’s former President, John Dramani Mahama was preparing to leave office, Manasseh released a book on him titled “The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection & Rebound”.
Similarly, the “The President Ghana Never Got” book promises to be a compelling read, offering nuances that influenced certain decisions of the current administration.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
