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25.04.2007 General News

Prof Akosa clears the air

25.04.2007 LISTEN
By myjoyonline

The former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa has denied speculations that he is testing the waters to become Ghana's next president.

Speaking to Joy News from his London base, Prof. Akosa said it has never crossed his mind to eye President Kufuor's post let alone discuss it with anyone.

“I don't think that is an issue for me as an individual to even contemplate. I don't believe human being should be so presumptuous as to think that they can be leaders of their country. Leadership emerges it is not imposed,” he said.

Prof. Akosa, who is currently enjoying what he termed his “long leave and teaching to earn something small,” said his recent barrage of criticisms against the Kufuor administration is normal.

“I am not sure about that and I don't think I have ever shared that thought with anybody. As far as I am concerned I am a citizen of Ghana, I love Ghana very well. I have very strong views about certain issues and I am not one person to shy away from those views,” he noted.

Political analysts have said Prof. Akosa is keeping his cards close to his chest because the Convention People's Party (CPP) on whose ticket he wants to stand as a presidential candidate is yet to open nominations.

He has expressed strong views about the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government's management of the affairs of the country saying it has created hopelessness amongst the youth.

Prof. Akosa said the streets of Accra and Kumasi continue to breed street boys and girls because 42 percent of Ghanaian children do not go beyond primary school. Also, he said last year about 40 percent of those who sat the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) failed their papers.

“I do not see any positive change in that. The streets of Accra and Kumasi are booming with young Ghanaian talents. People who in years gone by would have passed common entrance… are on the streets of Ghana now. And if my heart does not bleed I don't know when it will bleed,” he said.

Prof. Akosa said if the situation is not addressed it would lead to a state of insecurity because unemployment among others are going up.

“People who can afford are putting up houses; six-foot walls with barbed wires and some are connecting electricity to it. Whom are we scared of? We are scared of other Ghanaians because we have failed to give them a chance. These are things that worry me and I would not stop talking about it,” he said.

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