Investigative journalist, Manasseh Awuni Azure, has praised former President John Dramani Mahama for his ‘exceptional’ tolerance of his critics and political opponents.
He said although his work as an investigative journalist hurt the political ambitions of the former President and his government, “his reception and level of tolerance has been exceptional.”
Azure’s investigative work on GYEEDA, SADA and the Ford Expedition caused a political storm which some political connoisseurs say contributed to the fall of the Mahama administration after only one-term.
However, the investigative journalist said he was never antagonised by the former President whenever he met him.
He said he contacted the former President John Mahama while writing the book seeking clarification on some of the issues raised in the book.
He said while former President Mahama did not agree with him on some portions of the book, he was emphatic that he would defend his (Manasseh’s )right to write the book.
He urged the country’s journalists to be bold and fearless in telling those governing the country when they are right or wrong.
Azure revealed, some people have shied away from the launch because of the title of the book, ‘The Fourth John’.
Earlier, the Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketia V, rallied Ghanaian leaders to write.
“We need to write to appreciate a greater understanding of the country,” Nana Nketiah who was the Chairman for the occasion said.
While encouraging people to put ink to paper, he also urged Ghanaian journalists to have a moral compass.
“You cannot be a journalist without a moral compass. It is your moral compass that will direct you to write,” he said.