The Krontihene of Akyem Asoum, Nana Boadi Amponim Abodade III, has offered his candid assessment of outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo’s legacy.

In a recent interview, the chief acknowledged the president’s uncanny ability to suppress dissent but noted that this feat was viewed with a mix of awe and scepticism.

“Even Lucifer had something good about him. They said he was a good singer; he had a magical voice. Lucifer, yes, so definitely, there will be something good about Nana Akufo-Addo,” Nana Boadi said, setting the tone for his analysis of the president’s time in office.

Among the “good things” the Krontihene attributed to President Akufo-Addo was his ability to keep key societal figures—including clergy, media, and chiefs—strangely silent on critical national issues.

“The clergy, the media, the chiefs, all the outspoken people, all of a sudden became silent. You see, when you have about 32 million people with 32 million problems breathing down your neck, even the strongest of minds could bend,” Nana Boadi observed.

He continued, “Yes, his ability to tame them, keep them silent, is somehow mesmerizing to some of us. So, in that case, yes, he was good. But at the same time, now that there’s a new president, we are watching. Eyes are watching those who were kept mute.”

The traditional leader warned that the public would not hesitate to call out hypocrisy among those who had remained silent during President Akufo-Addo’s tenure.

“If all of a sudden they come out loud, then we will tell them that, yes, they are the hypocrites and saboteurs. We can boldly face them and say to their faces that they were part of the problem,” he stated.

Despite his grudging acknowledgement of the president’s ability to manage dissent, Nana Boadi expressed relief at the end of Akufo-Addo’s presidency.

“Overall, some of us are happy to see his back. A lot of chiefs are saying that when it comes to their policies and their gatherings, they will only greet him, because, traditionally, they are supposed to. But it will be without, of course, a certain hidden level of cynicism and even disdain.”

Reflecting on the future, the Krontihene emphasised the anticipation for change under the new leadership.

“Tomorrow is pregnant. There’s a lot that Ghanaians are anticipating, and we hope it will be a positive, positive change,” he concluded.