Executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Brong Ahafo Region have reacted angrily to the Sunyani Omanhene’s call on the people of the region to give President Mahama 70-80 percent votes in the 2016 general elections.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s regional office on Thursday in reaction to Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawire’s appeal, the regional chairman of the party, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh said the Omanhene had contravened the 1992 Constitution which prohibits chiefs from engaging in active politics.
He said the Omanhene stoop so low by campaigning for the NDC, adding that the party in particular and members of the general public had lost respect for him.
Nana Bosoma Asor, at a public gathering to honour President John Mahama, who was on his tour of #Changing Lives,’ promised him 80 percent of votes in the region come 2016.
“The 80 percent is a promise. Other regions can promise 50 percent but we are going to give you 80 percent,” the chief said.
According to the regional chairman, the Omanhene has jurisdiction in parts of Sunyani and not the entire region.
“Nana Aso Nkrawire is not even the President of Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs so we wonder if other chiefs in the region are in agreement with his pronouncement.
“The Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area is not the President of Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and granted if he is, he does not have the capacity to decide for other chiefs or the people of Brong Ahafo. Even at his own palace 70–80 percent votes in the general elections in 2016 will not be available for President John Dramani Mahama,” he stressed.
“What we find appalling unbelievable is the fact that a 10 kilometre stretch of uncompleted road could induce a chief of his standing to promise 70–80 percent votes for the President in the Brong Ahafo region. Does Nana expect his authority to be respected?” he quizzed.
Explaining further, the NPP’s regional chairman said developmental projects undertaken by ex-President Kufour during his tenure are unsurpassed.
Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh advised the chief to wear the paraphernalia of the NDC and campaign for Mahama.
He said the Omanhene’s pronouncement clearly showed he had no regard for the laws of the land.
The president, he said, toured the regions to counteract Nana Akufo-Addo’s recent ‘Rise and Build’ tour, which was successful.
The NPP guru asked Nana Asor Nkawire to highlight the untold hardship that Mahama’s administration had imposed on the people of the region and the general insecurity that led to the death of Seikwa Omanhene.
According to him, President Mahama commissioned new Community day Senior High Schools (SHSs) in some regions and ignored the Brong Ahafo region.
He could not fathom why the Omanhene ignored the deprivation in the region.
danielyaodyee@yahoo.com
From Daniel Yao Dayee, Sunyani