… Scolded at Elmina

Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), run into trouble in the Central Region last week when chiefs of two traditional areas called him to order for his habitual lateness to functions and disrespect for traditional authority. The NPP flag bearer, who was on an electioneering campaign in the region, had line-up a programme, which included that of holding separate meetings with chiefs of the Edina Traditional Area and the Oguaa Traditional Area, indicating the time for the meetings. But, first, it was the chiefs of the Edina Traditional area who assembled at the Omanhene’s palace and waited for hours, far beyond the scheduled time, before Akufo Addo arrived there in “pompous” style, with over 60 vehicles, following him. On his arrival, and after the initial courtesies, the flag bearer went straight to address the chiefs and had to be called to order. A spokesman for the chiefs expressed surprise that Nana Akufo Addo had found no need to render any apologies for the late arrival and the inconvenience he had subjected the chiefs to. After rendering a belated apology, the chiefs advised the flag bearer to part ways with his character of respect for none. Later, the Omanhene presented Akufo Addo with a holy Bible for obvious reasons. Strangely enough, Nana Akufo Addo picked no lessons from the advice offered him at Edina. He skipped another meeting with the Oguaa chiefs and instead honoured a meeting with NPP members and some Kibi tribesmen at the Centre for National Culture in Cape Coast. Eventually, Akufo Addo found time to meet the Oguaa chiefs at 7.45pm almost seven hours late. There, the chiefs did not only hand down some harsh words but also fined him five hundred cedis (¢5million) for his “insolence and disrespect” for traditional leaders.