The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panyin II could have stayed out of politics as all chiefs are required to do by not commenting on the address of the Akyem Tafohene, Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV, which reportedly endorsed the present Government for another term in office.
The speed with which the Office of the Okyenhene, however, responded through a rejoinder to dissociate himself from the Tafohene�s comments raises eyebrows.
Per Article 276(1) of the 1992 Constitution, Chiefs are not to take part in active party politics, which is perhaps what the Okyenhene is running away from but the Daily Democrat newspaper is wondering whether he has really heard or read what the Tafohene said on that day.
The Daily Democrat believes it is unfortunate that the Okyenhene� Office is describing the Tafohene�s statement as an indiscretion and a breach of protocol that had dragged the Okyeman Council into political quagmire.
Osabarima Adusei Peasah, who spoke on behalf of the Okhenhene at a durbar at the Abuakwa State College said in relation to current pace of developments in the region that Akyem Abuakwa will have a fair share of the national cake if the President gets another term in office.
Citing the education sector, he expressed optimism that the area would benefit immensely in the years ahead given the number of new structures under construction particularly at the Abuakwa State College and noted that he foresees the establishment of a public university in the area by end of the President�s second term.
The Daily Democrat believes, the Akyem Tafohene spoke well and did represent his people well, especially those who are affiliated to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with his speech.
Besides those glowing tributes he paid to President Mills and the expression of hope that government would send more developments to the region, including a public university when it is retained in office, how else was the Tafohene expected to address the visiting President.
Despite the fact that chiefs are barred from engaging in politics, politicians aspiring for one position or another have frequently visited chiefs across the length and breathe of the country seeking support, though they know these chiefs cannot publicly declare their personal support for them.
During such visits, the chiefs wish the aspiring politicians good luck in their endeavours and pray for their success. In spite of granting audience to all politicians and wishing each of them luck, the chiefs do surely have their preferred politicians. After all, they also cast their ballots and surely do cast for preferred candidates.
In the capacity of traditional leaders, however, they grant audience and welcome every political leader who comes to them and that is what the Akyem Tafohene did at the durbar grounds � being a non-partisan chief welcoming the President of the Republic of Ghana.
The Daily Democrat wonders whether the Okyenhene is also disassociating himself from the desire of the Tafohene for government to establish a public University in Abuakwa or for the area to get its fair share of the national cake.
Admittedly, the little the Office of the Okyenhene sought to say about the Tafohene�s statement has inadvertently succeeded in saying much about the Okyenhene himself.
Source: Daily Democrat
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