In a scathing condemnation of President Nana Akufo-Addo‘s actions during the recent 48th Annual Congress of the Gonjaland Youth Association and the 1st Anniversary of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, the people of Gonjaland have vowed never to extend another invitation to the President for any future events.
As reported earlier by InsiderGH.com, “In an attempt to undermine the authority of the Yagbonwura and the collective pride of the people of the Gonja Kingdom, the Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, Hon Abu Jinapor, reached out to the Yagbonwura and requested that he stood up and descended from his skins to exchange handshakes with the President. The Yagbonwura didn’t pay heed to this. Then, the NPP regional Chairman, Mr. Kalamonia followed up with the King and also placed the same request, which the Yagbonwura turned a deaf ear to.
The incident, which unfolded in Damongo on Saturday, April 27th, 2024, saw President Akufo-Addo facing severe backlash for what was perceived as a disrespectful attitude towards the King and Overlord of Gonja.
Eyewitnesses reported a palpable sense of anger among attendees as the President addressed the gathering. Many questioned whether such behaviour would be tolerated if directed towards other revered traditional leaders such as the Asantehene or Okyehene.
The climax of the controversy came when President Akufo-Addo, citing time constraints due to his waiting helicopter, insisted on delivering his speech out of turn. His Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Abu Jinapor, further exacerbated the situation by forcefully taking the microphone from the Master of Ceremonies to make the announcement.
The President’s hasty departure amidst escalating tensions left a bitter taste in the mouths of those present. Witnesses recounted how the atmosphere turned heated, with murmurs of discontent drowning out the President’s words.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, despite pressure from some quarters to leave in protest, chose to remain, demonstrating remarkable patience and respect for the event’s protocol.
The swift intervention of a delegation of prominent Paramount Chiefs, dispatched by the King and Overlord of Gonja, prevented further escalation and convinced Mahama to stay after President Akufo-Addo’s departure.
Critics have lambasted President Akufo-Addo for disregarding the established program lineup, which dictated that the King’s speech would precede his own. Many questioned the appropriateness of speaking before the Yagbonwura, whose palace had extended the invitation.
Mahama Haruna, a prominent media personality and recipient of the 2024 NExA Media Personality of the Year award for the five Northern regions of Ghana, expressed outrage at the President’s actions and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
As Gonjaland reflects on this incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting traditional authority and adherence to protocol in Ghana’s diverse cultural landscape.
Source: InsiderGH.com
