The National Security Coordinator has denied any involvement in the simmering chieftaincy crisis at Winneba. According to Brigadier-General Nunoo-Mensah (retd), the allegations are baseless and “does not make sense at all.” Two Royal Families - the Otuano and Ayirebi Acquah families have been involved in a protracted conflict over the celebration of the Aboakyer Festival by the people of Winneba. This year's edition of the festival had to be cancelled last week because of clashes between the two feuding factions, and a member of the Otuano family claims the National Security Coordinator and other key members of government are to blame for the clashes. Samuel Ghunny told Joy News, Brigadier-General Nunoo-Mensah held a meeting with the Ayirebi Acquah family at the Castle, during which a planning committee to organize the festival was constituted. This he said was discriminatory, sowing the seeds of conflict between the factions. But in a reaction, Brigadier-General Nunoo-Mensah told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah he is saddened by the allegations. He said his only involvement in the matter has been to broker peace between the two feuding factions and not to stoke the fire or support one of the sides. “When I hear these baseless allegations I get sad because I have always worked for peace whether the issue is in Bawku, Dagbon, Tuobodom, I have always been working for peace all my life. And to say that I am behind a faction that is sad indeed,” he lamented. He said these allegations are recycled, false, and does not make sense. He argued that he has close relations with the members of the family that he is being accused of plotting against. On the supposed discriminatory meeting in the Castle, Brigadier-General Nunoo-Mensah dismissed the allegations that members of the Otuano Family were not present. On the contrary, he said the Otuano family had a higher representation in the said meeting and was surprised about the allegations. He also denied setting up a planning committee to organize the festival. Sounding a bit frustrated by the allegations, Brigadier-General Nunoo-Mensah said he could swear by the Bible or Quran that his hands are clean. “I can swear by the Bible or Quran that I have never discussed with anybody whether Mike Hammah or with the Omanhene about who should become chief; it is none of my business,” he swore. “We Ghanaians don’t tell the truth so whenever you tell the truth they think you are lying. I have never lied in my life. In the military I never lied, even at the point of death I never lied,” he intimated. He said he will call the Omanhene of Winneba, and if possible organise a town hall meeting, to get to the bottom of the allegations. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana