Chiraahene, Barima Minta Afari
Chiefs in Brong Ahafo region have added their voice to calls on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to select an indigene of the region as his running mate to give true meaning to the Dankwa-Busia-Dombo tradition.
According to the Brong Ahafo chiefs, the NPP has parts of its roots in the region and the time has come for the party to honour the region by selecting one of their illustrious sons as the party’s vice presidential candidate for the 2012 elections.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE as part of their New Year messages, the chiefs were unanimous in their call on the largest opposition party in the country to turn its attention to the Brong Ahafo region.
The Chief of Chiraa and Benkumhene of Dormaa Traditional Council, Barima Minta Afari II, said the call, if heeded, will ensure the accelerated development of the region.
According to him, since the overthrow of the Busia government in the early 1970s, nobody from the Brong Ahafo region has occupied the highest seat of the country, and not even the vice president of the republic.
Barima Minta Afari therefore appealed to the NPP to honour its traditions by selecting its 2012 vice presidential candidate from the region.
The Chiraahene further indicated that the Brong Ahafo region has become a decider in recent Ghanaian elections and that any of the major political parties which select its running mate from the region stands the chance of gaining in the general elections.
The Chief of Fiapre, Nana Opoku Ababio, also shared similar sentiments, asking the NPP flagbearer to appoint his second-in-command from the Brong Ahafo region.
The Fiaprehene mentioned that the move will strengthen and deepen the Dankwa-Busia Tradition which he noted is the cornerstone of the NPP.
Nana Opoku Ababio used the opportunity to advise politicians and their followers to eschew insults in their political discourse to ensure a peaceful, violence-free election come December 7.
He also advised the youth not to allow themselves to be used by unscrupulous politicians and political parties to foment trouble during the much-anticipated polls.
The chief also advised farmers to be wary of bushfire since the Harmattan season is not good for the lighting of fire in the bush.
From Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, Sunyani