Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin
Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has waded into the recent ‘Akyem Sakawa’ comment made by the leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama.
According to the Okyenhene, Ghana is better off as a united nation, and should not be allowed to be divided on ethnic or religious lines due to people’s inordinate quest for power.
Speaking in Koforidua, yesterday, during a courtesy call on the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Okyenhene stated that unnecessary attacks on groups should not be entertained in the country, adding that people who preach such division should not be given political power.
“Recently, some people want to divide Ghana. Since the beginning of the 4th Republic in 1992, we have been preaching against politics of insult. We should put a stop to politics of insults for younger ones to respect the elderly.
“But now, we have turned it from just politics of insult to politics of insulting groups. We are dividing the country,” he lamented.
“When we started Boarding school, we shared rooms with Ewes, Northerners; we were one. I am proud to be ‘Okyeni’, but you know what, I am a better person as a Ghanaian. Let us learn from Nana Addo who is sacrificing to ensure that every part of Ghana benefits. So those who want to divide Ghana, that is not what we want. We cannot divide Ghana. It is our common destiny; all of us are Ghanaians,” he added.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin further stated that because of the country’s marriage systems and friendship, the citizens have become one as a people, saying “you cannot deliberately attack a particular group of Ghanaians and insult them.”
‘Akyem sakawa’
The comment from the Okyenhene comes at the back of recent attacks on Akyems by former President John Mahama.
Reposting a write-up by the NDC MP for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, on the ‘Agyapa’ discussion, the former President wrote: “An interesting piece from Hon. Isaac Adongo on the Agyapa Deal. Agyapa Royalties fraud is the last straw: The Akyem Sakawa Boys and Grandpas must go.”
The comment infuriated many Akyems, bringing residents from all the three Akyem States, Abuakwa, Kotoku and Bosome, together to stage a mammoth demonstration against the former President.
Western Togoland
Meanwhile the Okyenhene has also added his voice to the ongoing brouhaha surrounding the actions of the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF), the group leading the secession of some part of Ghana to form the ‘Western Togoland’. According to the Okyenhene, the demands of the group will come to naught since Ghanaians are better off as a united group.
“Just yesterday, some said they want to take part of Ghana, that will not succeed. We are one. From the ancient days till now… all of us, we are better as a nation,” he said.
The Okyenhene is the recent traditional leader to have added his voice to the brouhaha following condemnations from others such as the President of the National House of Chiefs and Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, and the Awoamefia of Anlo State, Togbi Sri III.
Source: dailystatesman.com.gh/Kwasi Frimpong
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