Harrughana Attah must respect the memory of Aliu Mahama

The Alhaji Aliu Mahama Foundation has called on Ghana’s Ambassador to Namibia and Botswana to stop the “irritating and backward” claims that the late Vice President was discriminated against by the New Patriotic Party because he was a northerner.

Ambassador Attah, who used to be a staunch NPP leading personality in an earlier statement stated that Nana Akufo-Addo told him that a non-Akan will not lead the New Patriotic Party.

“I do recollect very clearly, as if it happened only yesterday, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo invited me to his office at Ridge near the offices of the Electoral Commission. I honoured the invitation, not knowing what to expect. The outcome was one of the most revealing encounters I have ever had with a Ghanaian politician. He raised a number of issues and
concluded on my “support” for the late Vice President. On that, this is what he told me,” Ambassador Attah said in a statement to StarrFMonline.com.

He continued: “The words have been indelibly etched on my conscience: “Harruna, your support for Aliu was flawed. If you think our party will cede its Akan leadership, you are wrong.” He went on to expatiate on the theme, but with my mind reeling at this blatant and brazen ethnocentricity, nothing else really mattered to me again. When I left, I confided in a few people, mainly family and friends, as witnesses. I received all manner of suggestions on how to handle this “bombshell” and indeed one family member high up in the NPP even suggested that I take it up with President Kufuor. The frightening fundamental message was clear: No non-Akan should dream of leading the NPP as Presidential Candidate.”

But a statement by the Aliu Mahama foundation stated that the late Vice President never had any issue of ethnocentrism against him or in his favour throughout his public life until his passing with any member of the NPP.

According to the foundation, the former journalist-turned politician should respect the memory of Mr. Mahama and allow him to rest in peace.

“Alhaji Haruna Attah should respect the memory of Alhaji Aliu Mahama not out of fear but because it is the proper human thing to do. He should allow the gentle soul of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama to rest in peace. The Foundation will not like to be drawn into the politics and political space by the kind of misrepresentation that some section of the public finds convenient for political gains.”

The statement signed by Dr Samuel K. Frimpong, Executive Director of the foundation said the foundation “focuses on championing greater discipline and preserving the blessed memory and legacy of Alhaji Aliu Mahama. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.”

Below is the full statement from the Aliu Foundation:

RESPECT THE MEMORY OF ALIU MAHAMA – Aliu Mahama Foundation

It has come to the notice of Aliu Mahama Foundation that a senior member of the Ghanaian society is peddling falsehood against the memory of Alhaji Aliu Mahama.

The Foundation finds it extremely disturbing that Alhaji Haruna Atta would lie about a faithful Ghanaian servant just to advance a political mileage.

This betrayal and back stabbing behavior exhibited by a senior member of the journalism industry is irritating and backward.

The Foundation would like to put on record that Alhaji Aliu Mahama never had any issue of ethnocentrism against him or in his favour throughout his public life until his passing.

There was never a situation where he was favored or discriminated against because of his ethnic background. He believed that politics or election is an issue of lose of win, hence he accepted the results of 2007 NPP primaries in good faith.

His competence and achievements speak volume of the quality of man he was. Alhaji Aliu Mahama served this nation as Vice President, through the political party he was affiliated to, with dignity and utmost commitment.

Alhaji Haruna Atta should respect the memory of Alhaji Aliu Mahama, not out of fear, but because it is the proper human thing to do. He should allow the gentle soul of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama to rest in peace.

The Foundation would not want to be drawn into the political space by the kind of misrepresentation that some section of the Ghanaian public finds convenient for their political gains.

Aliu Mahama Foundation focuses on championing greater discipline and preserving the blessed memory and legacy of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.

Signed

Dr. Samuel K. Frimpong Executive Director – Aliu Mahama Foundation Former Aide to the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama