A former General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and a social commentator, Atik Mohammed, has described NAPO’s apology as an ‘afterthought’.

Atik Mohammed opined that the apology came rather late, adding that the outgoing Energy Minister’s subsequent justifications of the assertions that President Akufo-Addo has achieved the most, an enviable feat that not even Ghana’s first President could achieve, were insufficient.

On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, the Manhyia South lawmaker, during his unveiling at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi, said, “Since independence from 1957 till today, we’ve not had any president that has helped Ghana like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I say from 1957 till today, you can bring your Kwame Nkrumah... no President has protected Ghana and moved the country forward like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”

NAPO’s statement appeared denigrating in the eyes and minds of many people who felt that the statement was unfortunate.

However, NAPO, during his visit to Wassa after the inauguration, reiterated his assertion, adding that he made the statement without mincing words.

In an apology letter dated July 12, 2024, NAPO said, “My statement last Tuesday, July 9, in Kumasi on the performance of President Akufo-Addo has elicited varied reactions.

"The statements reflect my personal opinion about President Akufo-Addo’s impact relative to the other Presidents we have had.

"I wish to emphasize that I never meant to disrespect our former President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, or any of our former heads of state, including my own grand uncle and mentor, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor.”

However, Atik Mohammed posits that, “The apology is an afterthought. When he went to the Western North region, he repeated the same thing. The apology should have come immediately after the event, but if an event comes before your apology, then you can say it is an afterthought.

“Between the event and the apology, something happened which is exposing and creating an impression of insincerity because he attempted to rationalize what he said; but he should redeem himself.”