The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Savannah Region has appealed to the Yagbonwura, Overlord of Gonja, to ignore a petition presented to him by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) requesting of him to demand answers from the President on why Alhaji Osman Minima Salifu, a chief within his kingdom, has been imprisoned.

The NPP contend that Alhaji Osman Minima Salifu was lawfully tried and convicted and that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has nothing to do with it.

“Alhaji Osman Mimina Salifu was a Deputy National Security Coordinator of the John Mahama Government. Investigations into his role in the purchase of equipment in collaboration with the National Communication Authority (NCA) were conducted in line with the laws of the republic of Ghana. Alhaji Salifu was arraigned before a High Court of competent jurisdiction presided over by His Lordship Justice Kyei Baffour, tried in accordance with the criminal laws of Ghana. Alhaji Salifu was afforded all the opportunities under the laws of our country and he fully defended himself. At the end of the criminal trial, Alhaji Salifu was found guilty of the charges of conspiracy to wilfully causing financial loss to the state in contravention of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 921) and intentionally misapplying public property.

Our brother Alhaji Salifu unfortunately could not run away from the long arm of the law and has been handed a jail term of five (5) years,” the NPP explained in a press conference.

The NPP then emphasized that the President had nothing at all to do with the trial as the courts are independent.

“Firstly, we as members of the NPP in the region do not intend to join the drama of our brothers from the NDC except to sympathise with Alhaji Salifu. The NDC sought to twist issues as if it was President Akufo-Addo who jailed Alhaji Salifu knowing full well that President Akufo Addo has absolutely no control, influence or authority over the courts of Ghana,” Fredrick Tahiru of the NPP Regional Communications Directorate stated.

The NPP further chastised the NDC for seeking to involve our revered chiefs in criminal prosecution which could spell doom for the country where convicts would seek to run to chiefs when they are convicted.

“The action by the NDC to draw the office of his Royal Majesty of Gonjaland Yagbonwura Tumtumba Boresa Jakpa I into the issue is misplaced, highly mischievous and will open the doors to other Ghanaians to run for refuge in palaces of our revered chiefs when the laws of the land catch up with them,” he pointed out.

The NPP also stated that claims that the Savannah Region has been ignored in terms of plans to build regional and district hospitals are completely false since a regional hospital and two district hospitals are earmarked to be built in the region.

“The claim by the NDC that Savannah Region was excluded from the District Hospitals Programme of the Akufo-Addo Government is completely false… the letter issued by the Hon. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development has Savannah Region as part of this Programme. Savannah Region will benefit from two (2) District Hospitals and One (1) Regional Hospital,” Mr Tahiru stated.

The NDC had petitioned the Yagbonwura to seek answers from the President as to why Alhaji Osman Minima Salifu has been imprisoned, and why he has sidelined the region with regards to the building of regional and district hospitals