Investigative journalist and author, Manasseh Azure Awuni has shared the challenges he faced in attempting to interview President Akufo-Addo for his forthcoming book, “The President Ghana Never Got.”
The 400-page book documents major events during the 8-year reign of President Akufo-Addo.
According to him, he engaged with the President’s cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko to secure an interview with the President, however, all efforts proved futile.
Narrating the happening on JoyNews’ AM Show, he said “I initially wanted to speak to President Akufo-Addo when writing this book. I remember speaking to his cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, and when I finished, I had done my reiki and people had told me that he [the President] wasn’t happy with the work I was doing. So I asked Gabby if there was a possibility of speaking to him, and he said, ‘I don’t think he will speak to you.’ I asked why, and he said, ‘The President thinks you’ve been mean to him.’
“And I said ‘But I even spoke to former President Mahama [despite criticising him]’ and Gabby said ‘People are different and how they process things differs’,” he added.
Despite this setback, the author said he persisted.
According to him, he sought other avenues by reaching out to the President’s lawyer, Ekow Essuman, who suggested that Otchere-Darko would be the best person to convince the President.
Returning to Mr Otchere-Darko, the investigative journalist said he was advised to send a letter to the President first.
However, given the timing and his looming deadline, he decided not to pursue this further.
He further noted that even though he was unable to speak directly with the President, he managed to conduct extensive interviews with other members of the government, which provided valuable insights.
“I spoke to a number of people within his government who confirmed a lot of things, and I had an extensive interview with Gabby for about two hours, where I asked questions about some of the decisions, the family, among other things,” he said.
“So I don’t think I missed anything significant from not speaking to the president for this book. I would have loved to but the circumstances didn’t permit,” he stressed.
“The President Ghana Never Got” is a 400-paged and 40-chaptered book on the reign of President Akufo-Addo.
Announcing the launch of the book, the journalist said it has “revealing and riveting content, which some may find explosive”.
It would be launched on August 8, 2024, at the Christ the King Parish Hall, Opposite the Jubilee House in Accra.
This book is his latest project on successive governments. In 2016, when the country’s former President, John Dramani Mahama was preparing to leave office, Manasseh released a book on him titled “The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection & Rebound”.
Similarly, the “The President Ghana Never Got” book promises to be a compelling read, offering nuances that influenced certain decisions of the current administration.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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