Following recent reports that former President Akuffo Addo allegedly used the Ghana Coat of Arms for personal correspondence, Ghanaians have called on President John Dramani Mahama to counsel the former president Akuffo Addo to refrain from the act since the action undermines the authority of the country.
According to them Akuffo Addo should be made to face the laws if he refused to stay away from his actions since nothing gives him the mandate to use the Coat of Arms with regards to his exit as president.
The Ghana Coat of Arms represents the nation’s authority and is managed by the sitting president and public officials representing state organizations.
According to Ghanaians mainly from the opposition NPP and ruling NDC, the application of the Coat of Arms is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly.
Akwasi Kyeremanteng of Jocubu an NPP activist, questioned Akuffo Addo’s authority to use the Coat of Arms asking, What capacity did Akuffo Addo hold to mandate him to use the country’s Coat of Arms?
Kwabena Boakye of the NDC camp echoed this sentiment stating that Akuffo Addo does not respect the authority of the country and tasked president John Dramani Mahama to advise him against the conduct .
Roy Amponsah, an NPP activist from Ashanti Bekwai questioned President Mahama’s silence on the issue, asking, Whether Akuffo Addo’s conduct is lawful or not.
President Mahama should speak out without fear or favor and tell Nana Akuffo Addo that he has erred.
Offinso NPP’s Alexander Wiredu emphasized that the Constitution of 1992 does not grant immunity to former presidents to keep state properties for his personal use and thus, Akuffo Addo should be cautioned not not not to use the Coat of arms again.
A Mamponteng NPP supporter Emmanuel Afful expressed regret that crucial issues concerning top figures are often discussed and then forgotten, urging President Mahama to address the matter ultimately to address the former president Akuffo Addo the dangers of using the coat of arms whilst he is not a president with regards to public reaction.
The general consensus among Ghanaians is that Akuffo Addo’s misuse of the Ghana Coat of Arms is a serious offense that should not be tolerated and they are calling on President Mahama to take immediate action apparently to advise Nana Addo from repeating such mistake in the future..
