President Nana Akufo-Addo’s reaction to a demand by a respected paramount chief in the Volta Region has sparked a backlash and demands for apology and retraction.
The Paramount Chief of Afloa, Torgbui Adzonu-Gaga Amenya Fiti V, had demanded that the government swiftly commissions the almost completed but abandoned Senior High School project in his town.
Torgbui Fiti V, who said he had become frustrated by the lack of school buildings in his town, demanded that government opens the GHS 9 million school complex within four months.
The project was started by the erstwhile John Mahama administration and has 26 classrooms. Akufo-Addo’s critics believe he has abandoned the 90%-completed project because it was started by a different administration.
However, during an interview on a radio station as part of activities on his tour of the Greater Accra Region, the President said there are plans to complete all school projects, insisting that there is no deliberate plan to abandon the projects.
The President then retorted that if the Paramount Chief feels strongly about the project, he can complete it himself.
Many believe while the comment was made in jest, it is disrespectful of the respected traditional ruler in the Volta Region.
Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, whose constituency falls within the traditional jurisdiction of the Paramount Chief, has said Akufo-Addo must apologise, retract and apologise for the comment.
According to the legislator, the demand by the Paramount Chief was made in good faith for the progress of education in the area.
“Would our President say this to just any other Paramount Chief? Paramount chiefs have been asking him for roads, for electricity, for water and so on, I’ve never heard him say anything like that in jest. I’ve never heard him respond to any of them as he did to mine,” she said.
Also, opposition Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has condemned the reaction of President Akufo-Addo to the Chief’s demand.
“As President, you don’t use this intemperate language when a legitimate call has been made by a Chief who is passionate about the development of his people, particularly their education,” the MP said on Thursday evening.
“This is the most condescending, disrespectful, disdainful and the most contemptuous retort that any President of the Republic has directed at a Paramount Chief,” he added.
MP for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak, who speaks for the Minority in Parliament on Education has also waded in, condemning the reaction of the President for a legitimate demand.
“The President is setting a bad example for the youth of this nation,” he said.