Nana Kofi Bentil
The Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira New
Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western Region has criticized the chief fisherman
for the Lower Axim Constituency for publicly declaring that he will vote for John
Dramani Mahama come December 2020.
The chief fisherman, Nana Kofi
Bentil, has reportedly been captured in a video making rounds on social media,
saying he and his family members will vote for Mr. Mahama when he is not
supposed to make such public declaration.
He led
a delegation of fishermen from the Western and Central regions to the residence
of former President Mahama in Accra recently, where he made the statement.
According
to the NPP communications directorate of the constituency, the 1992 Constitution
debars the chief fisherman from engaging openly in partisan politics.
A
statement issued by the NPP and signed by two of its executive members, Michael
Nokoe and Aaron Angate, described the chief as a ‘double-mouthed’ person who
was playing ‘double standard.’
The
party explained that the same fisherman recently praised President Akufo-Addo
and the NPP government for responding to the needs of the fishermen in the area
by initiating the construction of a sea defence wall and a fishing harbour at
Axim.
The
statement claimed that he collects fuel from landing beaches in the
municipality anytime there is fuel supply, adding “this is a privilege
given to him as a chief fisherman.”
“So
what has changed suddenly for Nana Bentil to start singing the praises of the
NDC and Mr. Mahama. This double mouth and double standards must stop. Axim
deserves better,” they said.
They
said they were not against the chief for his political choice but should be
grateful for what has been done for his people within a short period the NPP
has been in office.
The
statement said the Nzema East Municipality or the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira Constituency
could boast of sea defence wall, a fishing harbour and the development of the
Axim Victoria Park into modern ceremonial grounds in the short period that the
NPP has been in office.
The
rest include a Sports Stadium and Youth Centre, construction of cocoa roads in
the Gwira enclave, DVLA Office, construction of Axim town roads and creation of
Cocoa District for Nzema East, among others.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi