Vanderpuye Instead of Bannerman, Mahama as Vice: Two times Akufo-Addo committed comical gaffes

Both instances drew laughter from the audience, and the President apologized for his mistakes afterwards.

During a rally at Mantse Agbonaa in December 2020, President Akufo-Addo mistakenly introduced the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Odododiodio as Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, instead of Nii Lante Bannerman.

The president’s slip of the tongue occurred as he held Bannerman’s hand and addressed the crowd.

“In Odododiodio, if you are voting for me, then you are also voting for Nii Lante Vanderpuye,” the president said, prompting laughter and confusion among the audience.

Realizing his mistake, President Akufo-Addo quickly corrected himself, apologizing and urging the crowd to support Bannerman. “I didn’t speak well at all. I have made a mistake. What am I going to do with Nii Lante Vanderpuye? I meant Nii Lante Bannerman, and I want you all to vote for him,” he said, as the crowd cheered and applauded.

In another instance, President Akufo-Addo misspoke during the launch of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), on July 31, 2024, in Accra.

While touting his administration’s achievements in the road sector, the president mistakenly referred to his government as the “Akufo-Addo-Mahama era” instead of the “Akufo-Addo-Bawumia era.”

“We’ve witnessed an extraordinary expansion and improvement in our road network throughout the country. From 2009 to 2016, during the Mills-Mahama era, our nation completed 4,636 roads and five interchanges and overpasses.

“ However, since January 2017 till date, i.e., the Akufo-Addo-Mahama era,” he said, before quickly correcting himself amid reactions from the audience.

“That’s unforgivable. That’s unforgivable. I hope you will allow me to withdraw that statement; The Akufo-Addo-Bawumia era.”