Apologise for ‘Akyem sakawa’ endorsement in 72 hours or don’t come campaigning here – Okyeman citizens to Mahama
The Concerned Citizens of Akyem in the Eastern Region have given the flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, 72 hours to apologise to the people of Akyem for what they refer to as “derogatory” comments against them that he endorsed.
The group, on Wednesday, 9 September 2020, demonstrated to register their displeasure against the former President.
The protestors, clad in red and black and wielding placards, gathered at the forecourt of the centre close to the lorry station at Asamankese to begin their protest.
Some of the placards read: “No more NDC Tribalism”, “Nana Addo, Akyems are proud of you,” “Empty Barrel,” “Long Live Akyems” among others.
Speaking at the protest, the convenor of the group, Archibald Ntiri Acquah, condemned the NDC over the incident.
He said: “The NDC should stop seeking to win power by tearing apart the beautiful and harmonious multi-ethnic fabric of our nation. Customs prevent us from repeating the abominable comments of the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Kwame Zu against Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin, the Okyehene and Okyeman; the impetuous and insulting comments by Tawiah Boateng, the former Eastern Regional Chairman of the NDC and the disdainful and irresponsible statement made earlier by Mr Stan Dogbe against Akyem must also be condemned”.
“Mr Mahama, who is seeking a comeback, has shown a level of frustration never known in modern Ghanaian history…”
Mr Acquah further referred to a recent comment made by Mr Mahama during one of his campaign tours and described it as “senseless and desperate.”
“Indeed, a recent loose talk was to say a few days ago that Nana Addo is going to die before him, John Mahama, so, Ghanaians must vote for him, Mahama, as he [Akufo-Addo] will not pay the public debt because he’s going to die earlier.
“Is John Mahama, by his words at the weekend telling Ghanaians that he has visited the gods to eliminate other political opponents who stand in his way of becoming once again the leader of this country? Why is he wishing death on Nana Akufo-Addo, why is he associating fraud with Akyems?”
He added: “We the concerned citizens call on the elders of the NDC to advice Mr Mahama to apologise unconditionally to the entire citizens of the three Akyem states within 72 hours and pledge not to make such derogatory statements in the future,” Mr Acquah said.
The group emphasised that if Mr Mahama fails to retract and apologise, he will be banned from campaigning in all the three Akyem states.
“Failure to comply will cause all Akyems to prevent Mr Mahama and the NDC from campaigning in any of the three Akyem states,” he threatened.