Some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have vehemently defended Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ayisi Boateng, over his comments widely condemned as distasteful.

The former presidents of NPP’s students wing, Tertiary Students’ Confederacy Network (TESCON) who described themselves as unemployed, said the envoy has demonstrated by his action that he has the interest of the party at heart.

In a statement copied Myjoyonline.com Tuesday, the former TESCON leaders said they see Mr Boateng as their source of inspiration.

“Travelling from South Africa to attend our programmes alone tells us to do more since there is hope for the future because we are always remembered by you,” they said.

Mr Boateng has come under fire for saying he will prioritise the needs of NPP members ahead of others.

He said the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) did same when it was in government, adding he will not depart from that path.

He has been roundly condemned for the comments but the former TESCON president have risen to his defence in a statement issued in Accra.

Read the full statement below:

We the past TESCON Presidents bring you greetings from our homes. Although unemployed and waiting patiently for the right time to be fixed, we wish to state emphatically that we are very proud of you, H.E. Ayisi Boateng, the High Commissioner to South Africa.

We have heard and read diverse backlash and attacks from “the babies with sharp teeth” in opposition regarding your statement at a TESCON meeting at Kumasi Technical University that TESCON members are your priority and to that extent, NPP members.

You have been our source of inspiration during our days in opposition and you continue to inspire us. Travelling from South Africa to attend our programs alone tells us to do more since there is hope for the future because we are always remembered by you.

“Onipa nua” as you are affectionately called, you have proven beyond reasonable doubt that you have TESCON members at heart and we also pledge to be present any time you call on us.

It is our fervent hope and prayer that very soon, you shall be appointed to an office in Ghana that will aid you to continue helping the youth as you have always envisioned. God continue to bless your positive thoughts for us.

TO PAST TESCON LEADERS

We shall by this call on former and past TESCON leaders in government to turn to TESCON members and aid us since they are our source of inspiration. We shall however forever be grateful to the likes of Justin Koduah Frimpong( CEO of YEA), lawyer Henry Nana Boakye aka Nana B (deputy CEO of NSS ), Mr Nelson Owusu  Ansah ( Ashanti regional youth organizer and YEA director) and many others for their immense support to TESCON in Ashanti region. We recognise your efforts. They have made TESCON members their priority and we really appreciate it.

TO THE OPPOSITION (NDC)

To the opposition, our only advice to them is to concentrate on fixing their tattered party just as the KB’s report is suggesting and stop creating something out of nothing because we all saw how they treated our TEIN counterparts.

It was very normal to treat TEIN members special but abomination now to treat TESCON members special. They must get over the elections shock and give proper opposition to the government for the formulation of better policies that will help develop the country.

………..SIGNED………..

Hon George Krobea Asante
Former TESCON President
GIMPA, KUMASI
Yiadom BOAKYE Emmanuel
Former  TESCON President
KNUST
Nana Osei
Former TESCON President
CSUC

Seth Osei Acheampong
Former TESCON President
University of Education, Kumasi