One of the fiercest critics of former President John Mahama, Manasseh Azure Awuni has conceded that even though he is a ferocious critic of John Mahama, he treats him with respect and cordiality.

“I was one of the fiercest critics of President Mahama but he treated me as if I had never said anything bad about him. He is what one would call a true gentleman, ” he eulogises.

His comments come in the wake of a trending video in which President Akufo-Addo is seen ‘snubbing’ former President John Mahama at the maiden edition of the Kofi Annam Peace and Security Forum Wednesday, September 4, 2019.

Mr Azure has criticized the conduct of President Akufo-Addo, describing it as unfortunate.

Many on Social Media have called out the President for his seeming hostility towards the former President at the forum.

Mr Azure has further cautioned the President against such conduct, arguing that such public show of hostility does not help to lower the ever-rising political temperature.

“This is not the way to go, Mr. President. Don’t let your body language, especially in the public, prove your critics right. A friendly act may not be part of your KPO, bit it does help to lower the ever-rising political temperature,” Mr Azure concludes.

Manasseh writes:

Once upon a time, when John Dramani Mahama was president of the Republic of Ghana, his encounters with fiercest political rivals at public functions were very heartwarming. The men and women who used to call him all manner of names received very warm welcomes and social media used to buzz with these pictures with the advice to followers of the two main parties that politics was not war.



I was one of the fiercest critics of President Mahama but he treated me as if I had never said anything bad about him. He is what one would call a true gentleman.

Generally, our politicians are not enemies. They are not supposed to be. They have opposing views and interests, but when they meet, they should show those of us following them that politics is not an “all-die-be-die” affair. And generally, our top politicians (both NDC and NPP) have played this game to the admiration of their followers.

It is for this reason that I find the video of President Akufo-Addo’s snubbing of former President Mahama at a public function unfortunate. In the short video clip, which is being widely circulated on WhatsApp, President Akufo-Addo is seen happily greeting dignitaries at the Kofi Annan Peace Conference. When former President Mahama stretches his hand, the President gives him the kind of attitude you would give a man who slept with your girlfriend last night.

This is not the way to go, Mr. President. Don’t let your body language, especially in the public, prove your critics right. A friendly act may not be part of your KPI, but it does help to lower the ever-rising political temperature.