[ 2011-04-13 ]

Chief Executive of the Danquah Institute, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko

Minister warns Gabby on TV: Don’t point your fingers at me again!
What began as a simple intellectual discourse on
the Ivorian situation turned into the issuance of
a stern caveat when the Deputy Minister of
Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Omane
Boamah, displayed what can best be described as
‘intolerance of the highest order’ when he
angrily warned the Chief Executive of the Danquah
Institute (DI), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko not to
dare point his fingers at him when making his
point.

This must have come as a surprise to many viewers
who witnessed the unfortunate spectacle on the set
of Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show
yesterday.

Host of the programme Randy Abbey, who was
completely taken aback, looked on in astonishment
as the Deputy Minister curtly interrupted his
colleague on the other side of the political
divide and issued the warning.

This whole incident played out when Gabby Otchere
Darko was having his take on the arrest of
self-imposed President of La Cote D’ Ivoire,
Laurent Gbagbo. The Deputy Minister had earlier
had his turn on the topic under discussion.

Cote D’ Ivoire’s former leader, Laurent
Gbagbo, whose refusal to step down after losing an
election in November triggered a civil war, was
captured on Monday after French troops and forces
loyal to rival Alassane Ouattara laid siege to his
residence.

There have since been arguments of too much
foreign interference in the affairs of Ghana’s
West African neighbour, with some political
scientists and analysts pointing accusing fingers
at the French forces. However, French authorities
have denied that they played a direct role in
Laurent Gbagbo's arrest. "This was an operation,
in the end, that took place between Ivorians,"
French Defence Minister Gérard Longuet told the
press. He did recognize however, that French
forces in Ivory Coast had "supported" Alassane
Ouattara's Republican Forces.

The DI Executive Director, who disagreed with Dr.
Omane Boamah’s assertions on France’s
intervention in Ivory Coast, rhetorically asked
his colleague; “over a thousand lives were lost
as well as many more who cannot be envisaged, and
your focus is on who brought him out or arrested
him?”.

Known for his gesturing mannerisms when speaking,
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko was as usual at his
gesturing best, albeit benignly, but Dr. Omane
Boamah interrupted him and angrily warned “Randy
can I come in, let us treat ourselves with respect
on this set, (now referring to Gabby) the next
time you point your fingers at me like that, I
will not tolerate it. Be stable and make your
point without pointing your hands at me… don’t
do that, don’t do it!” he cautioned.

Source - Peacefmonline

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