A group calling itself Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA) has strongly opposed the appointment of a Broadcast Journalist and a failed parliamentary aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana as Ambassador of Ghana’s COVID-19 National Trust Fund, questioning the legitimate basis of his appointment.
According to the group, they acknowledge the urgent need for the government of Ghana to tap into the competence and experience of knowledgeable people in the Creative Arts Sector to complement it’s efforts in combating the deadly pandemic, but it’s equally important for the appointing authority to be wary of ‘dubious and selfish’ characters ‘gallivanting’ the corridors of power.
Mr. Santana in April 2015 declared publicly his intention to contest in the parliamentary primaries of the NDC, but subsequently declined.
In a statement issued AFFA and sighted by A1radioonline.com, it said, “To the extend that the Ambassador of the fund shall play the role of a ‘mobilizer’, soliciting funds from well-meaning individuals, groups and cooperate bodies, we need persons who believe and share in the vision of the Nana Akufo-Addo led Government.”
The statement continued to say that, “Abeiku Santana’s ideologies and public pronouncements in recent times are in sharp contrast with the visions and policies of this government. It is also trite knowledge that, individuals associated with the NDC have a bad track record in handling finances, and Abeiku is no exception.”
The board of trustees for the National Covid-19 Trust Fund has appointed popular broadcaster Mr. Santana as Ambassador for the fund. This was contained in a letter dated 23rd March, 2021 from the board.
In the appointment letter which is circulating on social media, Mr. Aggrey is to use his influence to raise funds to support government’s efforts in the fight against the pandemic.
However, AFFA has called on the Board of Trustees of the Covid-19 National Trust Fund to withdraw the Ambassadorial Appointment of Mr. Santana as soon as possible or blame itself in the coming days.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHZ| James Nana Tsiquaye|Ghana
