Eastern Regional Minister Samuel Ofosu Ampofo says he did not instruct police personnel to prevent Nana Akufo-Addo from greeting him at Friday’s Odwira durbar at Akwapim in the Eastern Region. Mr Ofosu Ampofo was at the durbar grounds to represent the President as the special guest of honour. According to him, he was not aware of the presence of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the durbar grounds, since all dignitaries were seated before his arrival. According to Asempa FM’s Eastern Regional correspondent Maxwell Kudekor, Nana Addo arrived at the event late, contrary to event protocol that had stipulated that all be seated before the arrival of the president or his representative. Having paid his courtesy to the chiefs on his arrival, Nana Addo was said to have proceeded to attempt to greet Mr Ofosu Ampofo, who doubled as the chairman of the Eastern Regional Security Council but he (Nana Addo) was prevented from doing so. Nana Addo was said to have asked the police personnel whether the people did not want him to greet them. Having posed the question three times, Nana Addo returned to his seat. Throwing more light on the issue, Divisional Police Commander of the Akwapim South District, Chief Superintendent Ernest Owusu told Asempa FM’s current affairs programme ‘Ekosii Sen’ that the programme was originally billed to start at 1:30pm but as at 3:30pm when it started, Nana Addo and his entourage had not arrived. It was therefore agreed that the Regional Minister, stepping in for the president should proceed to greet the chiefs. It was also agreed that Nana Addo would not be allowed to go round to greet the chiefs and the decision was communicated to him through the traditional secretary one Bekoe, the police commander said. However, he stated, when Nana Addo arrived, he decided to greet the chiefs including the regional minister, but observing protocol, the police prevailed on him to abandon the greetings and take his seat. Press Aide of the NPP flag-bearer, Herbert Krapa confirmed the incident in an interview with Asempa FM. This is the second time that the NPP’s flagbearer had been prevented from greeting dignitaries at a function as a result of protocol breach. In the first week of September he was prevented from greeting President Atta Mills during the Fetu Afahye festival of the chiefs and people of Cape Coast in the Central Region. Meanwhile Mr. Ampofo says he returned Nana Addo’s greeting when the incidence was brought to his attention. Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana