Kofi Okyere Darko is the Presidential Advisor on Diasporan Affairs
Presidential Advisor on Diasporan Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, popularly known as KOD, has criticised former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mark Okraku-Mantey, for behaving in a way he described as arrogant and superior while serving in government.
Speaking in an interview on Rainbow Radio 92.4 FM in the United Kingdom, KOD said that public office is a call to serve, not to act as if one is above others.
According to him, Okraku-Mantey failed to understand this principle during his time as a government appointee.
“We are here to serve. My office is a place where I’ve been given the opportunity to serve, not to feel more important than others. Mark Okraku-Mantey was also appointed to serve, but he behaved like a lord,” KOD said.
He explained that when someone is appointed to a government position, they should remain humble and never see themselves as superior to those they are meant to serve.
“When you’re appointed, you must not think you’re better than the people you’re working for, or the ones who helped you get there. Unfortunately, this is something many politicians don’t realise,” KOD added.
KOD stated that despite holding a high office, he sees himself as equal to his peers in the creative industry and does not let his position change how he treats others.
“I cannot use my role to act like I’m above my colleagues in the creative space. I don’t see myself as more important than them. Just because I have security officers around me or people opening doors for me doesn’t mean I’m better than the ordinary Ghanaian. These privileges are just there to help me do my job better, for the people,” he explained.
He emphasised that Okraku-Mantey’s recent public comments stem from the same sense of entitlement he carried while in office.
“The reason Mark Okraku-Mantey is talking the way he is now is because when he was appointed, he thought he was a lord. He didn’t see himself as a servant. But by God’s grace, some of us are here now, and we will serve the people with humility. We won’t act like we’re above anyone,” KOD concluded.
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