Ejura Traditional Council threatens not to co-operate with MP-elect

Ejura (Ash), Dec 27, GNA - The Ejura Traditional Council has called for an unqualified apology from Alhaji Issifu Pangabu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament-elect for the Ejura-Sekyedumase constituency for what the council calls a show of disrespect for the Ejura stool.

It said the refusal of the MP-elect to respond to a summons by the traditional council to answer allegations that his supporters attempted to burn the Ejura chief's palace soon after the December 7 elections was a serious indictment against him.

The chiefs have therefore, threatened not to co-operate with him until he showed some respect to the traditional council.

Addressing a press conference at Ejura and attended by all the divisional and sub-chiefs including Zongo chiefs, the Ejurahene, Nana Kwaku Sarfo-Kantanka alleged that Alhaji Pangabu was said to have organised supporters of the NDC to block the Ejura-Atebubu road when President Kufuor was on his way to Yeji in the heat of the presidential and parliamentary campaigns for the December 7 elections.

He said the MP-elect was alleged to have organised his supporters to burn down the chief's palace, which had been, reported to the Ejura police who have not as yet made any arrests.

Following these allegations, Nana Sarfo-Kantanka said the MP-elect was summoned to appear before the traditional council, which he initially declined to honour, but later but later obliged.

He said the chiefs therefore, resolved not to co-operate with him until he purged himself of these charges.

Reacting to the charges, Alhaji Pangabu denied them and said as a law-abiding citizen he could not show or exhibit any behaviour that was at variance with tradition.

He explained that when his attention was drawn to the alleged blockade of the road and was consequently summoned to the chief's palace, he responded promptly.

The MP-elect said as a leader, he accepted responsibility for any wrongdoing and therefore, apologised to the chiefs for that matter. Alhaji Pangabu, however, appealed to the Ejura traditional council, the various political parties and the people to bury their political, religious and ethnic differences and rally behind him for the area's speedy development.