Chiefs in Ekumfi, located in the Central Region, convened a press conference in response to President Akufo-Addo's statement that he had not prioritised the development needs of Ekumfi due to the community's rejection of the NPP Parliamentary candidate in the 2020 election.

During the event on Monday, the Paramount Chief of Ekumfi, Odeefo Akyin VIII, emphasised the democratic principles that empower people to freely elect their parliamentary representatives. He refuted the idea that the President has the authority to dictate whom the people of Ekumfi, or any constituency, should elect to represent them in Parliament.

Expressing shock at the President's assertion, Odeefo Akyin VIII stated, "We are extremely shocked by those statements and struggle to believe the same to be true because we particularly did not believe that the President...could politically segregate the country and treat others with disdain and dislike."

The Chief called on President Akufo-Addo to provide data on the developmental projects undertaken by the former Member of Parliament for Ekumfi, Ato Cudjoe, questioning the basis for the President's claim that retaining Ato Cudjoe would have been justified.

Odeefo Akyin VIII also highlighted the recent defeat of Ato Cudjoe in the NPP's internal party primaries for the 2024 General Election, questioning why Ekumfi should suffer for his exit in 2020 when even the President's own party members rejected him.

Expressing concern about the President's remarks affecting the democratic right to vote freely, Odeefo Akyin VIII emphasized that the people of Ekumfi exercised their democratic right in the last election, and it should not be used as a tool for punishment.

Addressing the ongoing dispute over the autopsy report of the late President John Atta Mills, the Ekumfi chiefs urged the late president's family to collaborate with the state to resolve the contentious issues.

Odeefo Akyin VIII criticised the public exchanges, calling them "appalling" and "disgraceful," and warned against allowing external influences to perpetuate disunity.

]Odeefo Akyin VIII reiterated the need to let the late Professor Atta Mills rest in peace and declared the traditional area's intent to take strong action against those who contribute to any disgraceful acts.

The chiefs urged the President to consider the unity and well-being of the community, irrespective of political affiliations, emphasising the importance of prioritising development projects for the benefit of all residents in Ekumfi.