I am an NDC sympathizer, not a card-bearing member - Kintampohene

“Yes, I am a sympathizer of the National Democratic Congress but not a card bearer”. These were admissions of Kintampohene Nana Effah Gyakuo on Onua Fm morning show ‘Yen Nsem Pa’.

This was in response to rumors that the over lord of Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region is a member of the NDC.

Soon after the Kintampo Waterfall disaster that took almost 20 lives and still keeping some in Hospital, Nana Effah Gyakuo was reported to have alleged that the disaster could partly be blamed on actions of invincible forces, a group with links to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Chief was reported to have said the tour guides at the Kintampo waterfall site were sacked by the invincible forces, adding that the absence of the tour guides might have contributed to the accident, which claimed the lives of about 18 students of both Wenchi Senior High School and University of Energy and Natural Resources.

This has attracted some criticisms from the general public, most especially from persons belonging to the NPP who believed that the Kintampohene is a member of the NDC and has benefited greatly from the Kintampo Waterfall site under the erstwhile NDC led administration.

But responding to these accusations on Onua Fm morning show, Nana Effah Gyakuo said he was a cadre before assuming the status as a traditional head and has since ceased to participate in any partisan political activity.

He maintained that he has enjoyed several visitations from the founder of the NDC and former President Jerry John Rawlings to his Palace; it never crossed his mind to register and become an active member of the NDC.

“Hahaha, I am not surprised about this question, the media will not stop amazing me. I am a member of the NDC? This issue involving lives of innocent children and we are talking about politics? I am not a member of the NDC, I am only a sympathizer, I have been cadre for long time and even Rawlings used to visit me in my Palace, but I don’t have a party card showing I am a member of the NDC” were Nana Effah Gyakuo’s reply when the host of the show Bright Kwesi Asempa asked him if he is a member of the NDC.

The Kintampohene maintained that for 20 years as overlord of the area, he has not demonstrated any biased towards any political party since he is a father to all. “All political party leaders visit me. Even Ex-President Kuffour visited me, so why should someone think I belong to the NDC” he asserted.

He asked if it wasn’t true that the invincible forces took over the waterfall and the party officials in the regions are aware, therefore he finds it strange when people accused him of making biased comments.

I am custodian of the waterfall and the lands around there but the site was given to the Assembly to manage, and we have reported the activities of the Assembly and the District Police Commander, so if nothing is done, what can the Nananuom do, he queried.