The office of Nana Akufo-Addo, the 2012 presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), has debunked reports that he arrived late at a durbar to climax this year’s Odwira festival at Akropong and that he breached protocol at the event. “This is not true as Nana Akufo-Addo was not late in arriving at the durbar grounds. Indeed, Nana Akufo-Addo acted in strict accordance with the protocol instructions given him by the Okuapeman Traditional Council,” a statement issued by Herbert Krapa, Press Aide to Nana Akufo-Addo said. The statement said Nana Akufo-Addo, per the invitation given him by the Okuapeman Traditional Council was asked to be present at 1:30pm on Friday, October 1, 2010. But on his way, the statement said Nana Addo received correspondence from the organisers that the programme had delayed and he would be notified once it was okay for him to arrive. “Nana Akufo-Addo respectfully agreed and waited in Akropong until he received further instructions from the protocol officers of the event and he immediately proceeded to the durbar grounds, which was a short distance from the house he was waiting. “On his arrival, Nana Akufo-Addo was received and led by protocol officers of the durbar (aides from the palace) to greet the Okuapehene, Nana Addo Dankwa III, Chiefs and Queen mothers and all other invited dignitaries present. When Nana Akufo-Addo and his delegation of three others, led by the MP for Akropong, W.O. Boafo got to the dais, where the government officials were seated, a cordon of Police officers rushed forward with arms stretched to stop them from climbing the dais saying ‘No greeting, you cannot greet the Regional Minister’,” the statement recounted. It further stated that neither Nana Akufo-Addo nor any member of his delegation protested. “As the dais was his last point of greeting, Nana Akufo-Addo turned back to take a seat reserved for him at the right hand side of the Okuapehene, Nana Addo Dankwa III, his traditional grandfather. "It was another fifteen minutes after Nana Akufo-Addo exchanged pleasantries and sat down before the program started. He did not arrive in the middle of the program.” According to the statement, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, after his speech went to greet the Okuapehene, Nana Addo Dankwa III and also shook hands with Nana Akufo-Addo who was sitting next to the Okuapehene. He repeated the same action when he (Ofosu Ampofo) was leaving the programme. “It is therefore not true that Nana Akufo-Addo arrived late at the durbar grounds. His movement all the way to the durbar grounds until he took his seat by the right hand side of the Okuapehene was in strict adherence to instructions given him by the protocol officers of the Okuapeman Traditional Council.” It entreated: “We hope that this explanation clarifies the matters and brings an end to the false claim that Nana Akufo-Addo arrived late for the function.” Story by Myjoyonline.com/Ghana