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| Okyeman denies endorsing Mills’ second term bid |
6/5/2011 |
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The Palace of the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panyin II, has dissociated itself from comments by Akyem Tafohene, Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV that sought to create the impression that the entire Traditional Council was endorsing President Mills’ second term bid.
The Palace says “it has taken steps to address the Tafohene''s indiscretion and clear breach of protocol which tends to have the effect of unjustifiably and needlessly dragging the exalted office of the Okyenhene as well as the Okyeman Council into a political quagmire.”
Osabarima Adusei Peasah, Akyem Tafohene, who was said to be speaking on behalf of the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, at a durbar at the Abuakwa State College prior to the President''s inauguration of a new six-unit classroom block for the school, said with the current pace of development, “Akyem Abuakwa will have a fair share of the national cake if the President gets another term in office”.
He cited the education sector for specific mention, adding he was optimistic that the area would benefit immensely in the years ahead, given the number of new structures under construction, particularly at the Abuakwa State College.
“I can foresee the establishment of a public university in the area by the end of the President’s second term,” he said.
He acknowledged the difficulties the government was facing in accessing resources for national development, but expressed confidence that the government would deliver on its promises.
“We know there are challenges, but we are confident you will not fail us,” he said in Akan, and assured the government of their co-operation and support.
In appreciation of the President''s support, the chiefs presented customary gifts of sheep and foodstuffs to him "as symbolic gesture to give you the needed energy to govern the nation."
President Mills, in his remarks to inaugurate the new classroom block thanked the chief for their support and assured them of a fair share of national cake.
The Opposition New Patriotic Party has already condemned the chief’s partisan statement, with the party’s Communications Director, Nana Akomea, describing the endorsement as a joke.
NPP MP for Abuakwa North, Hon. Atta Akyea, whose constituency also includes Kyebi, has also condemned the Chief’s endorsement of President Mills’ second term bid, adding that he was not surprised it came from that particular chief.
In the latest development, the Okyehene’s Palace has dissociated itself from the chief’s comments.
“Ofori Panin Fie has noted with concern the many publications regarding statements made by the Akyem Tafohene, Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV, when President John Evans Atta Mills visited Abuakwa State College as part of a recent tour of the Eastern Region.
“We refer particularly to the statements which appeared to endorse the candidature of the President in his bid for re-election. Ofori Panin Fie wishes to state emphatically that the Tafohene did not speak for the Okyenhene or the Okyeman Council as sections of the Press have reported and any statements made by him by way of endorsement could only have been his personal comments.
“Indeed, the said statements directly contradict the policy of the Okyeman Council which requires that chiefs do not make political statements of the kind attributed to the Tafohene.
“Ofori Panin Fie has taken steps to address the Tafohene''s indiscretion and clear breach of protocol which tends to have the effect of unjustifiably and needlessly dragging the exalted office of the Okyenhene as well as the Okyeman Council into a political quagmire.
“Ofori Panin Fie wishes to encourage all chiefs in the country to be mindful of the broad purpose of Article 276 (1) of the 1992 Constitution which requires that chiefs do not get involved in partisan politics for obvious and good reasons.”
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