In an exchange on Joy Prime’s Morning Show, Fhad Osman, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communication team, clashed with Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, over President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s legacy.

The heated debate occurred during the August 7, 2024, episode.

A Plus, who is running as an independent parliamentary candidate for Gomoa Central in the upcoming 2024 elections, sparked the exchange by claiming that his contributions to his constituency surpassed those of any former or current member of parliament before they entered the chamber, including President Akufo-Addo, former President John Dramani Mahama, and even Ghana’s first president, Dr. Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah.

His remarks did not sit well with Fhad Osman, who was also a panel member on the show.

He refuted A Plus’s assertions, stating, "You can never come close to Akufo-Addo’s achievements as an activist before entering parliament in your entire lifetime."

Osman argued that Akufo-Addo’s contributions to Ghana’s political landscape, particularly in advocating for multi-party democracy, were unparalleled and far beyond what A Plus could claim.

The exchange grew personal as A Plus questioned Osman’s own contributions to society, to which Osman responded sharply, telling A Plus to "shut up" because he didn’t know him personally.

The conversation escalated, with A Plus threatening to halt the show if the personal attacks continued.

Despite the argument, the show’s host intervened, and Osman was eventually made to apologize for his "shut up" comment, allowing the discussion to continue.

Read an excerpt of their conversation below:

A Plus: Before Akufo-Addo became a member of parliament, what I have done in Gomoa Central, he never did.

Fhad Osman: With Kwame’s assertion that before President Akufo-Addo became a member of parliament, he has performed better currently as it stands than President Akufo-Addo before becoming a member of parliament in 1996.

I find it very difficult to appreciate that narrative from him. It is a narrative coming from a desperate young politician who is seeking attention at all costs by any means possible. Why do I say so?

President Akufo-Addo’s contribution prior to becoming a member of parliament to this country can never be undermined by any single individual within this Fourth Republic.

My brother, if you remember very well between 1977 and 1978, we had a military regime in this country, that is Acheampong’s regime.

President Akufo-Addo single-handedly formed associations and groups to oppose the union government concept that was proposed by Acheampong.

He was not contributing to just a small constituency. He was contributing to a whole nation. So, if today you find yourself in a space, that same space you are today, multi-party democracy we are all witnessing and enjoying, which he is going to contest in this coming election, this is one of the impacts of President Akufo-Addo.

From 1981 to 1992, we witnessed another military regime in this country and we all can attest to the contribution of President Akufo-Addo in forming the Ghana Bar Association as a group to advocate for multi-party democracy and to advocate for democracy in this country.

So, if today you have an opportunity to run for elections, we wish you well but please stay in your lane. President Akufo-Addo’s personality in politics is something you will never come close to in your entire generation.

You will never. I wish someday you have children who will grow to become better people than President Akufo-Addo, but as it stands now, his contribution to this country’s political activity and democracy—my brother, please slow down a bit—you have never come close to it…

A Plus: Don’t take over the show like you can only talk and nobody can talk.

Fhad Osman: I am not taking over; you had your say… he is the one now moderating the show.

A Plus: No, stop acting like you can talk and nobody can talk.

Fhad Osman: You made a desperate statement out of desperation.

A Plus: What have you done yourself? No, what have you done for yourself? You have done nothing for yourself.

Fhad Osman: You don't know me; you don't even know me, so just keep quiet and shut up, my brother.

A Plus: Ah…

Fhad Osman: He is attacking me; he is attacking me personally.

A Plus: Oh, I will be a nice guy, don’t worry.

Fhad Osman: He is attacking my person; you do not know me from anywhere.

Watch the video from 52 minutes





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