Franklin Cudjoe, the head of the think tank IMANI Africa, has shared a candid look at his relationship with former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. While the president initially reached out for policy guidance, Cudjoe claims the advice was rarely put into practice. This disconnect between expert counsel and executive action suggests a missed opportunity for the administration.
The relationship started with open communication, but the trust began to erode over time. Cudjoe noticed a pattern where the president sought opinions but remained unmoved by the warnings provided. By 2020, IMANI Africa felt the government was heading in a dangerous direction.
Cudjoe specifically urged the leader to “rein in some of the people who are making your government unpopular.” He recalls that when critics raised concerns, the president often dismissed their complaints as “dumpstreet.” The breaking point came with projects like one village, one dam, which Cudjoe described as “the fastest route to the buttom” due to wasteful spending and inexperienced contractors.
Realizing the administration wasn’t changing course, IMANI Africa decided to stop providing counsel by 2022. Cudjoe admits he saw the writing on the wall as early as 2019, concluding that “this ship was going to tank in.” This withdrawal marks a significant shift in how the think tank interacted with the state.
The fallout highlights a broader tension between civil society organizations and the Ghanaian government. When expert warnings about popularity and spending are ignored, the result is often a loss of public trust. Cudjoe’s reflections serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of listening to dissenting voices in leadership.
