It is not immoral to be ‘connected’ – Gabby bemoans ‘false propaganda’ against him

A close associate of President Nana Akufo-Addo has argued that it is no wrong to have affiliations with influential persons.

Asare Otchere-Darko wrote on Facebook that “it is how ethically” these “connections” are used that matters.

Gabby, as he is popularly called, expressed this view following what he describes as “relentless and calculated false propaganda against [him]”.

“It is true that I am a lawyer with ‘connections’. I am not the only one, not the first, and certainly not the last… in fact, it is not immoral…” the founder of the Danquah Institute noted.

Mr. Otchere-Darko also dismissed some purported claims that he is “controlling government business!”

According to him, he decided that his law firm “will not accept any ministry, department or agency of government as a retainer client. In fact, we choose not to do government business as a practice unless it is incidental to serving our clients.”

What have the accusations been?

Members of the opposition NDC have constantly hit at the President for running “a family and friends government,” citing appointments of appointees he is related to.

And though Gabby is not part of the government, there is high speculation he is influential in decision makings.

Former Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu wrote “the brother and cousin of the President, who we are told have no role in his government, are seen here in a meeting with the President of Guyana on an official visit. I will not run “Family and Friends” government, he promised in 2016.”

A picture says a thousand words.The brother and cousin of the President,who we are told have no role in his government, are seen here in a meeting with the President of Guyana on an official visit.I will not run "Family and Friends" government,he promised in 2016. pic.twitter.com/4cjPc4gg2w

— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) June 13, 2019

But according to Gabby, he does not “do procurement! I am not a contractor! If you are looking for “family and friends” with a rich record of procuring government contracts then I am definitely not your man.”

“I get paid as a lawyer (pure and simple) for serving my clients and pay my taxes on my earnings,” he wrote.

 

Read his full post below

It is true that I am a lawyer with “connections”. I am not the only one, not the first, and certainly not the last. It is not new in Ghana, it is not new in Africa, it is not new in Europe, Asia or America. I accept that. In fact, it is not immoral to be “connected”. It is how ethically you use it. My practice suffered in the past for this same “connections.” But, then who cared to know!

But, as a policy, I decided right from the time this Govt took office that my firm WILL NOT accept any Ministry, Department or Agency of Government as a retainer client. In fact, we choose not to do Govt business as a practice unless it is incidental to serving our clients. That is not to say we have not done any legal work involving an MDA before. But, public service business is not really our preferred business.

However, the irony of the relentless and calculated false propaganda against me is that I am rather accused of controlling government business! I don’t do procurements! I am not a contractor! If you are looking for “family and friends” with a rich record of procuring government contracts then I am definitely not your man.

I get paid as a lawyer (pure and simple) for serving my clients and pay my taxes on my earnings. Indeed, my business life is that straight forward. Nothing complex. Yes, I work hard and love to work. What you may accuse me of is that I will go the extra legitimate mile to serve the legitimate interests of my clients. I owe no apologies for that.

Some of us rather endeavour to talk and act with some respectable degree of integrity. We do not claim to be angels. But, we do have integrity we cherish or perish and we do our best to live by it and we mean it. Accusing us repeatedly without any credible evidence but innuendoes won’t force the garb of veracity on the barebones of your lies. Facts are sacred. Propaganda is viral.