[ 2016-11-25 ]

Harruna Attah must respect Aliu Mahama's memory - Foundation
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

Source - Aliu Mahama Foundation

... go Back