No Seats For NPP At Fetu Afahye

Drama unfolded at this year�s Oguaa Fetu Afahye Festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Cape Coast when New Patriotic Party (NPP) gurus who were delegated by the party�s flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo, to witness the occasion were not offered seats. The disappointed gurus included former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman West Stephen Asamoah Boateng aka Asabee, former Attorney General Joe Ghartey, aspiring MP for Cape Coast Alfred Kodwo Thompson, as well as the Central regional secretary of the party, Kwamena Duncan. Briefing Daily Guide, an eyewitness said the gurus, dressed in their black and white kente cloths, arrived at the durbar grounds around 12:30pm. They then got seated but unfortunately, one of the traditional chiefs told them to vacate the seats since they only made provision for former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo. The delegation, which looked disappointed, according to Daily Guide source, had no option but to look for seats elsewhere but again, they were asked to vacate them. They finally found seats in the midst of the crowd, a situation which, according to information, compelled people who observed the scene to lambast the planning committee.Addressing the gathering, President John Dramani Mahama expressed worry over the death of the late President John Evans Atta Mills and promised to ensure that all projects embarked on by the late president are duly completed. He thanked the people of Cape Coast for the rousing support they gave him when he visited the town during his �Thank You Tour�. Speaking on the theme for the occasion, �The Asafo Companies, The Past, Present And The Future�, President Mahama called on the traditional council and leaders of the various Asafo companies to outline strategies to educate and enlighten the youth on the cultural practices and customs of the area. He also called on the youth to desist from acts of commotion to ensure total peace before, during and after the December general elections. On his part, the Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, charged President Mahama to honour his promise by constructing the Kotokuraba Market complex and the Cape Coast Stadium before he left office. Osabarima also appealed to parents and members of the various Asafo companies to involve their children in all traditional activities in order for them to know their roots as Africans. The paramount chief asked President Mahama to consider Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as his running mate in memory of the late President Mills. Later, President Mahama cut a tape to officially name some streets in the area after President Mills. DAILY GUIDE can state on authority that this year�s festival recorded low patronage. The paper also observed that chiefs were not made to be carried in palanquins because certain rituals were not performed due to the death of the late president as most of government officials were spotted wearing black and red attires since the durbar coincided with the 40 days celebration of the late president. It will be recalled that last year�s Oguaa Fetu Afahye Festival celebration was nearly marred when NPP gurus who attended the festival at Jubilee Park were prevented by a special aide to the late president, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, from going to exchange greetings with the chiefs. The gurus were also not recognised.