Elmina Chiefs Did Not Snub Prez Mahama – Regional Minister

Central Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong has debunked reports that Chiefs in Elmina boycotted the sod cutting ceremony, over the weekend, by President John Mahama to construct a harbor in their locality.

The Chiefs were said to have snubbed the President on grounds that they were not consulted by the government before the sod cutting.

Akwamuhene of the Edina Traditional area, Nana Kojo Aduakwa the V, at a press conference explained that the Chiefs “were not privy to any discussion and therefore we are not going to participate in the sod cutting ceremony.”

The Chiefs, he stated, “have issues to settle with the KEEA and the people that gave the said land which the sod cutting will take place to them…All this while the council has not been consulted in the deliberation and determination of the land on which the sod cutting will take place.”

But speaking in an interview with Radio Gold, the Regional Minister expressed surprise over the reports, claiming that “almost all the Chiefs around the coastal areas” attended the function, which according to him, was successful.

When asked whether the Chiefs ignored the ceremony, Hon. Samuel Sarpong further narrated that though several Chiefs along the coast that attended the sod cutting ceremony, the paramount Chief in Elmina stayed out because “he didn’t get the information on time…He had the invitation but it was a little bit late for him…”

Another reason he expounded as a causal factor to the attitude of the Elmina Chief towards the sod cutting was that the Chief had laid claims to the parcel of land on which the sod cutting was performed.

He elucidated the “excuse that was given by the Chief was the land in particular was given to the former President J.A Kufour for that same project”, and as a result, he should have been officially consulted before the sod cutting by President John Mahama.

He however added that he will hold talks with the Chief to “ask him what actually his problem is and then find an amicable settlement.”