On July 23, 2023, private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu made a controversial statement on a Joy News program, Newsfile, in which he described President Nana Akufo-Addo as being part of a criminal syndicate at the Jubilee House (the seat of the Ghanaian presidency).
This remark garnered significant attention and drew both criticism from government spokespersons and support from some quarters.
Martin Kpebu now regrets retracting that statement a year after making it, as he believes President Akufo-Addo’s subsequent actions have proven his initial assessment correct. He believes that his original assertion, which labeled the President as part of a criminal syndicate, was accurate in light of recent developments.
Kpebu expressed that he should have maintained his stance and not given in to pressure to withdraw his statement. In hindsight, he believes he should have stood by his initial assessment of the situation.
Reflecting on the incident, Kpebu mentioned that in a democracy, it’s essential for both patriots and those who oppose them to speak out, even if some people face hardships as a result. He also predicted that President Akufo-Addo would be removed from power soon, and individuals who had suffered injustices during his time in office would find comfort. Kpebu noted that he has observed instances of individuals facing adverse consequences for attempting to expose wrongdoing in their workplaces and assured them that change was on the horizon.
Kpebu’s comments highlight the dynamics of free speech, accountability, and political discourse in Ghana, reflecting the ongoing debates and discussions around governance and leadership in the country.
