The Afidwasehene has discounted media reports stating, the Okyehene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II has endorsed President John Mahama ahead of the 2016 general elections.

A statement has clarified that the Okyehene who was speaking at 5th anniversary of the installation of Effiduasehene, Okoawia Dwumoh Baabu IV in Koforidua in the eastern region had observed an increasing use of foul language and invectives within Ghana's body politic.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin therefore advised Ghanaians to show respect for its political leaders.

 

Read the full statement below

STATEMENT BY THE AFIDWASEHENE IN REACTION TO COMMENTS AND REPORTS FOLLOWING THE FORMAL ADDRESS OF THE OKYENHENE, OSAGYEFUO AMOATIA OFORI PANIN ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ENSTOOLMENT

I have found it necessary to clarify certain misrepresentation contained in news reports with regards to the address of His Majesty the Okvenhene.Osagvefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of my installation held at Effiduase.

The honour of the distinguished presence of His Majesty the Okyenhene who is also the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs was also meant for him to relate his position on critical national issues as expected of a foremost traditional ruler.

To our expectation and in honour of the occasion the Okyenhene spoke on issues of grave national concern and interest. These included the need for decentralization/the fight against corruption and youth unemployment.

Amongst the above issues/His Majesty was most passionate on the character and manner of national political discourse. He denounced the growing culture of politics of insults and disrespect for authority and political leaders.

This is understandable considering the fact that we are in an election year. Thus the need for decorum in our utterances is crucial for peaceful election.

The Okyenhene indicated respect for all political leaders. He made no particular reference to the President His Excellency John Mahama nor did the Okyenhene seek to denounce the need for Ghanaians to interrogate the actions of Government as the news reports try to portray.

It is in this vain that I find the comments of the co- host of the newspaper review segments on Peace FM of Saturday 9^th of January regrettable. ln reference to a newspaper report a co-host of the programme completely misinformed the public when he stated that Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin had endorsed

His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the 2016 elections. It is regrettable to note that no attempt has been made at interrogating the uninformed partisan comments made by the host of the programme.

I wish to inform the general public that my installation ceremony was not used as an occasion by the Okyenhene to endorse the programmes of government or rally the re-election bid of President Mahama.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Okyenhene for the honour and wish to express my regret at any embarrassment the situation may have caused him.

SIGNED

Nana Okowia Dwumoh Baabu IV.

Afidwasehene