High Priest Freed

ALEXANDER ADU Gyamfi aka the ‘High Priest’, a social commentator with sympathies for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who

was arrested in Kumasi on Monday for comparing President John Evans Atta Mills to a ‘Chimpanzee’ on radio, is a free man.

This has become possible because President Atta Mills, who was the target of the alleged insult, says he is not interested in the matter.

According to the President, his prime concern and focus is to achieve his ‘Better Ghana Agenda’ for the country so he does not want to be confused with issues of this nature.

This news was disclosed by the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbillah, at a marathon meeting held at the Regional Police Headquarters in Kumasi yesterday.

According to the Police boss, the President disclosed his stance on the matter, which is enjoying massive media attention “to my boss who also conveyed the information to me.

“President Mills says we should drop the case not only as a complainant, but also as the President of the State, he is exercising his prerogative of mercy to help sustain the peace we are enjoying,” DCOP Timbillah said.

The Regional Police Commander added: “As I speak to you right now, the ‘High Priest’ who made those unfortunate utterances on air, is free as ordered by the President; so let us all respect this decision for peace to prevail.”

Adu Gyamfi, a 37-year-old teacher, was Monday morning rescued by armed police officers at the premises of Fox FM, which prevented ‘blood thirsty’ National Democratic Congress (NDC) goons from venting their spleen on him.

The ‘High Priest’ was said to have on three occasions refused to retract comparing the 2008 presidential campaign pictures of President Mills to a ‘Chimpanzee’ on radio.

This infamous utterance from the teacher perhaps incurred the wrath of the NDC hoodlums who stormed the radio station with deadly weapons, ostensibly to lynch him.

After listening to the said tape, DCOP Timbillah said the police found evidence of prima facie against the High Priest and they were preparing to process him for court when the President stepped in to bring the issue to a close.

He explained that a ‘misdemeanour’ case was being preferred against Adu Gyamfi by the police as stated in the Section 207 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) when President Mills stepped in on the matter.

“The President was the victim in the case. He was the one that the insults were directed at and if he says he is not interested, I presume everybody will respect his opinion for the sake of peace,” the police capo remarked.

Showering praises on the President for displaying magnanimity, DCOP Timbillah pointed out that President Mills’ decision has deflated the tension and anxiety in Kumasi since the matter arose, urging Ghanaians to emulate the President’s shinning example.

The Regional Police Commander admitted that he and his men’s work have been lessened by the action of President Mills “and we thank him for that”.

DCOP Timbillah condemned the NDC hoodlums that stormed the Fox FM premises to attack the High Priest, calling on supporters of the NPP and NDC to respect the law and tolerate one another always, for peace to prevail.

He admonished those who speak on radio and at public places to be circumspect with their utterances, stating: “We should give respect to those in authority and the elderly as our customs demand.”

The massive population in the Ashanti Region, DCOP Timbillah stated, makes it a very sensitive area with regard to ensuring peace during electioneering periods, so he entreated the populace to exercise professionalism whenever they talk about politics.

The meeting was attended by regional representatives of the NPP and NDC, as well as the regional GJA President Nana Yaw Osei and National Media Commission boss Jonathan Frimpong.

In his succinct remarks, the Regional Chairman of the NPP, Fred Fredua Antoh, commended President Mills for his nobility, urging him to intervene in Nana Adarkwa’s case in Accra as well.

Condemning Adu Gyamfi’s utterances, he descended heavily on the NDC goons that stormed the Fox FM premises with the aim of assaulting the High Priest, advising the populace to respect the law.

Ayisi Boateng, a leading member of the NPP in the region, warned radio hosts against hiding behind the console to utter words that tend to create rancour and tension in the country.

On his part, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Joseph Yamin, said President Mills’ action is a clear indication that indeed he is a father for all and urged the opposition political parties to take note.

The President, he observed, by his actions, has toed the line of reconciliation and it would be prudent for the citizenry to take a cue from him and tolerate one another.

Condemning Adu Gyamfi’s infamous utterances on air, Yamin said the case should be an eye opener to all about the need to be careful and civil whenever they speak on radio.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi