Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has raised concerns about former President John Mahama’s use of the nickname ‘Jack Toronto’ for President Akufo-Addo without his permission.
In a statement, Pratt questioned why Mahama had attributed his nickname to Akufo-Addo without seeking his consent or acknowledging any copyright issues. He expressed surprise at Mahama‘s appropriation of the nickname, emphasizing that it was originally associated with him.
The background to this controversy stems from remarks made by former President Mahama during a town hall meeting in Tamale as part of his “Building Ghana Tour.” Mahama asserted that no member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) could evade responsibility for Ghana’s current economic challenges, including President Akufo-Addo, whom he referred to as ‘Jack Toronto.’
Mahama’s comment implied that Akufo-Addo, along with other NPP members, bears accountability for the country’s economic difficulties. He suggested that decisions made by Akufo-Addo and his associates during their tenure in government contributed to Ghana’s present economic woes.
However, Pratt’s objection centers on the use of the ‘Jack Toronto’ nickname, which he claims is his own. He contends that Mahama’s attribution of the nickname to Akufo-Addo without his permission raises questions about intellectual property rights and the proper use of personal identifiers.
The controversy underscores tensions between political figures and media personalities in Ghana, as well as broader debates about accountability and responsibility within the country’s political landscape.