Ayisi-Boateng retracts and apologises for divisive comment
Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr George Ayisi-Boateng has retracted and apologised for his comment to the effect that he would serve the interest of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members ahead of all others.
Mr Ayisi-Boateng at a meeting with the Kumasi Technical University branch of the Tertiary Education Students Confederacy (TESCON) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) last Sunday said, “Indeed I’m not boasting, but I’ve started meeting the NPP groups. Every weekend I meet some group members and I tell you if I had my way, every job opportunity that will come will go to a TESCON member before any other person. And I know my colleague appointees also have the same feeling except that because of IMF we cannot do anything now.”
He added: "TESON member is my priority, NPP member is my priority, before any other Ghanaian, we are all Ghanaians, but some are more Ghanaians than others so my dear director, all of you, get the messages to our appointees, they should be very careful, so that we work for party members first, so that party members will work hard for us to retain power and sustain power for over 20 years, so that we can change things in Ghana…"
Several calls for his removal has followed since the comment became public last Sunday.
In a statement Wednesday evening, the diplomat said his comments were “unfortunate.”
“I have upon sober reflection, decided to to retract the comments I made during my interaction with some members of the New Patriotic Party, NPP in the Ashanti Region over the weekend.
"I have realized that my statement is unfortunate and at variance with the letter and spirit of the Ghanaian constitution and the dignified office of the High Commission that I occupy,” the statement said.
He said as the High Commissioner to South Africa he has the responsibility to protect the interest of all Ghanaians within the jurisdiction and to grant them equal access to opportunities.
“I regret the effect of my speech delivered to the young party members which has generated public outcry.
"I therefore wish to retract my comments and render an unqualified apology to the presidency and all Ghanaians,” he stated.
