Outspoken former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has explained why he was not named the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie popularly known as Sir John said when he was given the signal from the presidency, he went to the place to acquaint himself with the daily activities but just the sight of the sea sent shivers down his spine.
“I didn’t know the sea was closer to my office so I said to myself, Sir John you don’t belong here” he stated.
It was widely speculated that President Akufo-Addo would name Sir John as the Director General of GPHA. But a letter from the presidency indicated that one Paul Asare Ansah has been chosen for the job.
This angered members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) who threatened to embark on a demonstration for what they said was President Akufo-Addo’s unfair treatment of the die-hard former General Secretary.
After months of snub, Sir John has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Forestry Commission.
Expressing his appreciation to President Akufo-Addo, the former General Secretary said the presidency cannot be blamed for the late appointment.
He indicated that his appointment to the Forestry Commission is apt since he comes from the forest zone of Ghana.
“I’m happy I have been chosen to head to Forestry Commission as someone from the Ashanti region to protect and manage the permanent forest estates and protected areas in the various ecological zones of the country”.
For the GPHA job, Sir John said he refused the offer because “I was afraid of the sea”.