A youth activist of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), has questioned the credibility of the list of "100 Most Influential personalities in Ghana" published by ETV-Ghana placing the President and Chairman of ECOWAS at an awful 24th position.

According to Justice Dansu Norvor, the list which has Nana Akufo-Addo as the second most influential personality in the country is without basis and cannot be scientifically verified, hence it must be treated with the contempt it deserves. 

"If influential person means one who exerts strong influence and have the power to cause change, then Nana Akufo-Addo has no business being there as the second most influential person in the country. The list is a mischievous and Machiavellian attempt to demean the office of the President and some of his appointees", Mr. Norvor stressed.

Mr. Norvor insisted that the survey lacks scientific basis, adding it would be inexcusable for any credible survey to place Nana Akufo-Addo above President Mahama, the most powerful statesman.

He maintains President Mahama has consistently defeated Nana Akufo-Addo in all elections.

The Young Democrat member, who was speaking to the media in reaction to the report, also said the publication which ranked President Mahama the 24th most influential person is an attempt to belittle the President and the ECOWAS Chairman and some targeted government appointees.

He is convinced the list was influenced by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The youth activist of the NDC asked why an influential personality like Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah with all his mentorship to the youth of Ghana would be rated 83rd in the ranking, far below some notable individuals "who have never impacted a single life other than casting vituperations on government in the media."

He added that other research has established that Dr. Spio Garbrah’s professional, business, academics and political life has impacted more youth than any other person in the country.

Mr Norvor said many young Ghanaians have benefitted from the GETfund scholarship thanks to Mr Spio-Garbrah.

"His entrepreneurial seminars through the Global Entrepreneurship Week cannot be overlooked. It is therefore unimaginable and ridiculous to rate him far below lesser known public figures", Mr Norvor said.

"Also unfortunate is to rate the Minority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu far ahead of the Majority leader Hon. Alban Bagbin. If NPP partisans could criticize the current minority as the weakest in the history of parliament, what is the basis for which the minority leader is more influential than the distinguished Majority leader who has been at the forefront of governance reforms over the years. Hon. Alban Bagbin as leader of Government Business in the House deserves better than the demeaning 92 position on the list", Mr. Norvor argued.

“What makes Kwabena Agyepong more influential than Cardinal Appiah Turkson? What makes him more influential than Alban Bagbin if this report is not one of the propaganda schemes set up by the NPP to project their self aggrandizement efforts” he averred.

Mr. Dansu Norvor is of the view that the report included the celebrated religious leader Dr. Mensah Otabil in first position in order to legitimize the list in the eyes of the Ghanaian public.

He said the attempt to deceive Ghanaians with the "Most Influential Personalities" report has woefully failed.

According to him, the inclusion of Nana Akufo-Addo as the second most influential person in the country has shot down any credibility and authenticity the report will strive to achieve.

“Where is Afari Djan, Benard Mornah, Baba Kamara, Huudu Yahaya, Kofi Adams, and many others who are impacting the lives of citizens?” Mr. Norvor questioned.

The one time secretary of the Young Democrats has thrown the challenge to ETV- Network to disclose to Ghanaians details of any qualitative or quantitative survey carried out to validate their research.