Reacting to a viral news video shot from Niger that captured President Akufo-Addo once again sleeping in public during a national event in the republic of Niger, Irbard said it is a “natural phenomenon” for old people to sleep and there is nothing shameful about it.
“I see nothing shameful with falling asleep. Please don’t criticize the President over a natural phenomenon. There is no human being under the sun who doesn’t sleep! I am told this picture was taken in Niger. But please I keep asking: is it a crime to dose off for a few moments in a conference?” Irbard asked.
Defending further, Irbard called on Ghanaians to appreciate their leaders and stop subjecting them to mockery because they are humans and like all of us are also imperfect.
“As young as I am, I have closed my eyes a couple of times during conferences and summits. How much more a respected elderly statesman who has for decades offered himself to serve this nation and has been given the opportunity to do so at an advanced age? Please stop bringing up an issue which is a natural phenomenon. Let’s appreciate the efforts our leaders put in as they serve us no matter how imperfect they are. Who is perfect in the first place – you? I doubt!” He added.
From Russia with Love
Two months ago, another video emerged of the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a sleeping posture during the maiden Russia-Africa Summit held in Sochi, Russia.
In the video, President Akufo-Addo was seen sitting calmly amongst other dignitaries with his eyes closed and seemingly sleeping.
Following this, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been criticized by some sections of the public, many making reference to similar instances in the past and suggesting that the President must have been taking a nap.
Akufo Addo not a machine
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh came to the defence of President Akufo-Addo regarding his alleged public nap saying that “even if” the president sleeps he is not a “plugged machine”.
Defending Akufo-Addo Mr Annor Dompreh said even young men like him who are 40 and 45 years old do doze off at events and to him, it is no big deal even if the president dozed.
“Yes, I have seen the video. You let me ask you, did you see him sleeping? Did you see his head on a pillow? He is a little beyond 80.. 70 years … Please. Granted he dozed off in public, is he not human?”, he asked.
He added that “we young men who are 40, 45 years don’t we doze off at events? Let’s us not create the impression is a machine that is plugged. And he is human. He is a human being. Besides, I didn’t see him sleep.”