A statement issued and signed by Nana Akomea, NPP Communications Director, cautioned the Mills-led NDC administration to desist from the practice, to avoid dragging the nation’s revered chiefs into needless partisan politics, which will not be in the interest of the country.
The statement reminded President Mills and his functionaries that chiefs have been insulated from partisan politics in view of their unique positions as “our traditional rulers, custodians of our land and our culture.”
“The NPP has noted with interest the recent use of Chiefs in the propaganda strategy of the NDC. In the recent week, it was the Okyeman Council, which was reported to have endorsed the Government of the NDC. The reports have led to protests from the Chiefs of Okyeman that they had made no such endorsement, or that they had been misrepresented,” the statement noted.
“This week, it has been the chief of Goaso, in the Brong Ahafo Region, who has been reported as also endorsing the Government of the NDC. This report has also resulted in the Chief of Goaso engaging in media effort to clarify what statements he was reported to have made,” it added.
According to the statement, the practice of chiefs making statements of welcome and appreciation to presidents and government officials in appreciation of development projects undertaken in their traditional areas had been with the nation over the years.
The NPP, however, expressed deep worry about the recent phenomenon where such statements are misrepresented to mean endorsement of the ruling NDC governments, stressing that the practice “risks bringing our Chiefs into partisan politics, and into disrepute.”
“Our Chiefs, during all governments, have made statements of welcome and appreciation to Presidents/Head of States and government officials in appreciation of development/social projects in their districts/traditional areas. If government intends using district developmental projects as propaganda strategy, this should not be done with the risk of dragging our revered chiefs into partisan politics,” the statement cautioned.
The statement further urged the NDC not to associate the nation’s traditional rulers with their agenda to make propaganda capital out of projects executed in the districts that are part of the normal activities of every government.
“Every government, through the district assemblies, engages in various development projects, throughout the country. During the time of the NPP government, in 2008 alone, the developmental projects executed in Asunafo districts, where Goaso is situated, included: 3 unit classroom block at Alavanyo; 3 unit classroom block at Norbekaw; 3 unit classroom block at Kasapin; Community Clinic at Gyasikrom; Hospital Theater, Goaso Hospital; Six unit classroom block at Adomako; Rehabilitation of Goaso High Court and Area Council Block, at Sankore; 3 unit classroom block at Kamirekrom; 3 unit classroom block at Pomaakrom; and 3 unit classroom block at Denyase,” the statement noted.
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