President John Dramani Mahama has reflected on the devastating impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) on individual lives stating that leaders must always consider the human consequences of their decisions.
Speaking at the funeral rite of Nana Dr. Michael Agyekum Addo, the late Chief Executive Officer of Kama Group of Companies and Nkabomhene (Unity Chief) of the New Juaben Traditional Area held at his hometien, Suhyen , President Mahama shared a personal conversation he had with the late entrepreneur before his passing.
Mahama recounted that his last conversation with Nana Dr. Agyekum Addo occurred under distressing circumstances after he complained bitterly about disruption of his pension and investment funds due to the implementation of the DDEP.
“The last time I spoke to him was in circumstance that were not pleasant. He has just gave an interview after the Domestic debt Exchange had been concluded, and he had been struck very hard financial by the Domestic Debt Exchange and he has been forced to com out and talk about how that affected him basically and so I have him a call to Condon with him and sympathize and urged him not to give up hope and that there is always life when there is a will. When there is a will there is hope”
However, Mahama expressed shock at his sudden passing, using the moment to underscore the broader impact of economic policies on the lives of everyday Ghanaians.
“For me it was a shock but it also shows that for leaders when we take decisions we must know that our decision affect the lives of individual people. Kama was well known and his story with regards to the bond exchange I widely known because he spoke about it and because of the personality he was but I am sure that all over the country there are thousands of people advanced in age whose pensions and Provident funds were invested in the domestic debt exchange who properly must also passed away and we don’t know about it, or who are sitting at home in poverty they don’t have money to buy medicines and all that and so for me the lesson is that in taking decisions we must know that our decisions as leaders affect individual lives”
He stressed the need for leaders to make policies with compassion and foresight, recognizing that their decisions have real-life consequences for individuals and families.
The late Nana Dr. Michael Agyekum Addo born in 1950 died in 2024. He was a visionary entrepreneur, pharmacist, philanthropist, and traditional leader. As the founder of the Kama Group of Companies, he played a pivotal role in Ghana’s pharmaceutical industry, ensuring access to quality healthcare products.
Beyond business, he served as Nkabomhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, mentoring young entrepreneurs and advocating for education and youth empowerment.
His contributions to national development, particularly in the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), left a lasting impact on Ghana’s economy.
In his tribute, Mahama described him as a distinguished son of Ghana, whose entrepreneurial excellence and service to the nation would be remembered for generations.
Present at the funeral were a number of distinguished individuals including Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Added Awatey, Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Executive Director of NITA, Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost Apostle Eric Nyamekye among others.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Obed Kojo Ansah
