its not been easy under Akuffo-Addo's Government - Manasseh Azure

 Award-winning Ghanaian journalist and author Manasseh Azure Awuni has opened up about his challenging experiences as an investigative journalist during President Akufo-Addo's administration. These reflections come as he prepares to launch his latest book, "The President Ghana Never Got," on Thursday, August 8.

Mr. Awuni shared that his work as an investigative journalist has not been without its dangers, including receiving threats to his life that forced him to seek police protection. 

"I’ve personally faced numerous challenges. If you examine the 'fictional Agyapadie' document, my name appears in it. My experience under this administration has been far from easy," Awuni revealed. He also disclosed that in 2019 and 2020, he had to temporarily relocate to South Africa and Germany due to the severity of the threats against him.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr. Awuni elaborated on the extent of these threats, explaining that from 2019 to 2021, he had to drive with police protection. The pressure also affected his mental well-being, prompting him to seek therapy from a clinical psychologist.

His forthcoming book also touches on his attempts to engage with President Akufo-Addo regarding his situation. "People often wonder, 'Does the President even know what’s going on behind the scenes?' I had a personal encounter where I made an effort to inform those within the Presidency," Awuni recounted. 

He described an instance where, feeling that his concerns might not be reaching the President, he arranged a meeting with the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo. She was surprised that he was using her as an intermediary, given his access to the President through other channels. "I explained, 'Yes, that’s true, but for certain reasons, I felt it was important to inform you directly,'" he said, shedding light on behind-the-scenes interactions that the public may not be aware of.

"The President Ghana Never Got" is a 400-page book divided into 40 chapters, offering an in-depth look at President Akufo-Addo's time in office. Announcing the launch, Awuni described the book as having "revealing and riveting content, which some may find explosive."

Book Cover

The launch is set to take place on August 8, 2024, at the Christ the King Parish Hall, across from Jubilee House. This latest work follows his 2016 book, "The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection & Rebound," which chronicled the presidency of John Dramani Mahama. Awuni's new book promises to be an engaging read, providing insights into the factors that shaped decisions during the current administration.