Former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah, has disclosed her role in protecting President Akufo-Addo from potential arrest during their political activism days.
Speaking at a Thought Leadership programme organized by Onua FM on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Madam Jantuah shared insights into her upbringing in a politically active household, where her father and uncles were deeply involved in politics.
She recounted how members of the Movement for Freedom and Justice, a significant political group at the time, frequently convened meetings at her father’s residence in Asokwa, a suburb of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.
During these gatherings, prominent figures such as Paa Willie of the Big Six, Akufo-Addo, Afrifa, and others were in attendance.
Amidst the political fervor of the era, Madam Jantuah found herself entrusted with the custody of important documents belonging to the movement. She vividly recalled moments when the police would raid her father’s home in an attempt to arrest the leadership of the Movement.
In those tense situations, she was tasked with ensuring the safety of Akufo-Addo and other key figures by facilitating their escape through the back gate to evade arrest.
Madam Jantuah revealed that her father emphasized the importance of safeguarding individuals like Akufo-Addo, as they harbored aspirations of assuming the presidency one day.
“I remember the Movement for Freedom and Justice, they used to meet in our house so their documents were in my custody. So whenever I take their documents, my father will tell me that I’ve seen Paa Willie, I have seen Nana Addo, Bomti, my uncle KSP, and will tell me their lives are in my hands so whenever the police come on raid, I will keep the documents and send them away through the back gate,” she recounted.
“So, what they used to do was that, they said Nana Addo was going to be president so he wasn’t supposed to be arrested so whenever the police use the front gate, then I escape with him through the back gate. They used to raid our home in Asokwa. Afrifa and others were all part. So my father always told me to be bold,” she added.
It was considered taboo for someone with such ambitions to be arrested, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the measures taken to protect their political futures.
Recalling those challenging times, Madam Jantuah reflected on her role in ensuring the safety and security of her father’s guests, including Akufo-Addo, amidst the ever-present threat of police raids.
Many years down the line, Nana Akufo-Addo managed to become Ghana’s president after several failed attempts. In 2016, he led the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to beat the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) candidate, John Mahama to become president.
In 2020, he was re-elected President and is expected to hand over power on January 7, 2025.