Stop Politicisation Of National Issues - Nyaho-Tamakloe

Ghana�s former Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has challenged Ghanaians, especially political actors, to stop the politicisation of national issues. He said the politicisation of national issues did not augur well for the democratic dispensation as it could retard development as well as lead to chaos in the country. He further explained that politicisation and monetisation of Ghanaian politics could trigger political violence , which is inimical to good governance and democracy in Ghana. Dr Nyaho Tamakloe, who gave the warning at the launch of his book entitled Never Say Die in Accra on Tuesday, said the book conveyed his concerns about the state of politics in Ghana today. He, therefore, advocated the need to ensure the paramountcy of social justice in Ghanaian politics to make it possible for the various sections of the society to live in peace despite their diverse ethnic backgrounds. ��Never say Die��, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said, captured his perspective on many issues of public interest, especially in politics, military and sports which were areas of endeavour he had the privilege to serve. The author of ��Never Say Die��, therefore, appealed to Ghanaian statesmen to come out with their memoirs to address the lack of memoirs and autobiography writing in Ghana. Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe re-echoed the belief that many Ghanaians were woefully failing in their social obligations to prevent avoidable governance pitfalls with carefully documented political history useful for the knowledge of the younger generation. He said by his memoirs, he was also encouraging other Ghanaians to heed the call to publish their memoirs for the benefit of the general public and not wait for them to die without sharing their experiences with the younger generation. Dr Nyaho said by publishing their memoirs, the older statesmen would be nurturing directly and indirectly the younger generation of leaders in Ghana to learn to live peaceful and not repeat some of the serious mistakes of their predecessors. Prof. Adzei Bekoe, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, who chaired the book launch, said the book was interesting and thought-provoking, especially the political views expressed. He called on people, who after reading the book and would not agree with the political views expressed, to endeavour to throw more light on the issues raised in the book in order to enrich the political discourse in the country as well as good governance and democracy. Brigadier General Francis Agyemfra, a visiting Senior Fellow of Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), who co- sponsored the launch of the book because it promoted good governance, described Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe as a social commentator, medical officer , sportsman and a diplomat par excellence, who stood for social justice with a strong aversion to political oppression. Mr Kwame Pianim, a renowned Economist, who also did a critique of the book, said the achievements of Dr Nyaho- Tamakloe as a diplomat in war-torn Serbia and Montenegro showed that former President Kufuor made a good decision by appointing him as an ambassador. These have all been captured in the book. Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, a former Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, is a founder member of the New Patriotic Party. Trained as a physician, he has practised medicine in Ghana (initially as member of the Ghana Armed Forces), Nigeria and the United States In the 70s, he was detained for his involvement in a coup plot to overthrow the Supreme Military Council (SMC) administration of General I.K Acheampong. In the 80s Dr Nyaho- Tamakloe served as a management chair and Board member of Accra Hearts Oak, Ghana�s premier soccer club. He is also a civil rights activist and currently a regular media commentator on political and sports issues.