Akufo-Addo Has No Legacy, Only Self-Praise And Poor Performance—Nii Lante Vanderpuye

Member of Parliament for Odododiodioo, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has sharply criticised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s final State of the Nation Address, accusing him of relying on exaggerated claims and self-praise rather than presenting tangible achievements during his presidency.

Nii Lante Vanderpuye, in an interview with Eyewitness News on January 3, 2025, argued that the outgoing president has no substantial legacy to leave behind.

Vanderpuye accused Akufo-Addo of using self-praise and presenting misleading figures to create a false impression of his administration’s successes.

The MP noted that the president’s consistent attempts to highlight his achievements were not reflective of the reality on the ground, which he believes has been disappointing for many Ghanaians.

“The president was consistent in one thing: praising himself when he didn’t deserve praise and also presenting figures and scenarios that were not factual,”Lante  Vanderpuye remarked.

The MP also took issue with President Akufo-Addo’s track record in sports and youth development, both of which Vanderpuye labelled as significant failures under his leadership.

According to Vanderpuye, despite the president’s frequent claims of excellence, the sports sector remained neglected, and the government’s efforts to support youth development fell short.

“On the issue of sports, for example, a president who always wants to be seen as a person who is perfect and has performed excellently, in the area of sports where he has performed so poorly, how would you want him to talk about it?” Vanderpuye questioned.

The MP specifically mentioned that Akufo-Addo had failed to address the country’s sports infrastructure needs and develop sustainable youth programs. He argued that the sports sector, much like other areas under the president’s governance, lacked the necessary attention and resources to meet the aspirations of the Ghanaian people.

Vanderpuye also criticised the government’s major policies aimed at addressing youth unemployment, such as the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) and the “Planting for Food and Jobs” initiative.

He pointed out that despite these policies, youth unemployment remains a significant issue, and many young Ghanaians have not seen the benefits promised by the government.

“Youth development is also one area where the government has performed so poorly,” Vanderpuye said, further stressing that despite the so-called interventions, the impact has been minimal.

He lamented that these policies had failed to create long-term employment or improve the livelihoods of young people in Ghana.

President Akufo-Addo delivered his final State of the Nation Address on January 3, 2025, where he reflected on the highs and lows of his eight-year presidency. He described his tenure as an honour, acknowledging the challenges and accomplishments that came with the role.

However, Vanderpuye’s criticism highlights the growing dissatisfaction among many Ghanaians who feel that the outgoing president’s self-congratulations have not been backed by real progress in key areas such as youth development, education, and the economy.

“The President may claim that he has faced challenges, but the truth is, his government failed to deliver on its promises,” Vanderpuye concluded, signalling that many people view Akufo-Addo’s tenure as one marked by unfulfilled expectations.