The Ashanti Region branch of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has apologised to the Okyehene and the people of Akyem Abuakwa for comments by one its executives deemed unsavoury.

A statement of apology to Amoatia Ofori Panin II and the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council by the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Kwame Zu, explained that on hindsight the comments that have generated furore were in fact unpleasant.

Huge demo

The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council on Monday led a huge demonstration against the leadership of the NDC.

According to the State Secretary of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta, Kwame Zu made “abusive and provocative statements” against Okyehene, Amoatia Ofori Panin II.

Kwame Zu is reported on many online platforms to have said last Thursday that the people of Kyebi competed with animals for water until former President John Mahama provided a source of water for its residents.

The comments have been described as insulting to the people of Akyem Abuakwa.

In the apology, Kwame Zu makes the following clarification:

“ The said statement was used in good faith and figuratively to underscore that the Okyenhene did not drink different water from his subjects, again flowing from the love he has for his people. After deeply reflecting over the said statement and the interpretation given it by a section of the public, which interpretation is plausible, I wholeheartedly regret for making that statement. I hereby wish to unreservedly render an unqualified apology to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and indeed all Ghanaians for the said statement. I revere and have always revered the chieftaincy institution in Ghana and for that matter hold the Okyenhene in high esteem and would not deliberately undermine the chiefly powers of the Okyenhene who has shown great leadership over the years.”

Read the full apology and clarification below.

STATEMENT OF APOLOGY TO THE OKYENHENE AND THE AKYEM ABUAKWA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

It has come to my attention that a statement I made at a demonstration organised by the Coalition for National Sovereignty which was held in Kumasi on the 19th day of September 2019 has generated a furore.

While making a presentation at the said demonstration, I did point out to many ills of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government that threatens our collective existence as a nation. In a very charged atmosphere, I did make a statement regarding the remarkable efforts made by President John Dramani Mahama to provide potable water for inhabitants of Kyebi and its surrounding areas some of whom hitherto were drinking unwholesome water. Knowing that the Okyenhene just like most traditional rulers in Ghana have deep love for their people and at all times empathise with them, I did make a statement to the effect that until potable water was provided for the Okyenhene and his people, they drank unwholesome water. The said statement was used in good faith and figuratively to underscore that the Okyenhene did not drink different water from his subjects, again flowing from the love he has for his people. After deeply reflecting over the said statement and the interpretation given it by a section of the public, which interpretation is plausible, I wholeheartedly regret for making that statement. I hereby wish to unreservedly render an unqualified apology to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and indeed all Ghanaians for the said statement. I revere and have always revered the chieftaincy institution in Ghana and for that matter hold the Okyenhene in high esteem and would not deliberately undermine the chiefly powers of the Okyenhene who has shown great leadership over the years.

Once again, my sincere apologies to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and all Ghanaians for my statement.

Thank you and may God bless us all!

……Signed……..

KWAME ZU

ASHANTI REGIONAL SECRETARY, NDC