Police say Asamoah Boateng was not prevented from greeting

Saltpond (C/R), Oct 18, GNA - The Mfantseman Municipal Command of the Ghana Police Service has expressed surprise at allegations that they prevented the former Minister of Information, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, from greeting chiefs and personalities at the funeral of Okesse Essandoh VIII, Paramount Chief of Nkusukum Traditional Area, at Yamoransa last week.

Addressing a press conference at Saltpond, Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Oscar Narh Odonkoh, the Mfantseman Municipal Police Commander, said Mr Asamoah Boateng, accompanied by two men, arrived at the funeral grounds when Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe, the Central Regional Minister, and Mr Alex Asum Ahinsah, the Minister for Culture and Chieftaincy, were making their speeches.

Mr Odonkoh said he met Mr Asamoah Boateng and his entourage at the entrance to the funeral grounds and exchanged pleasantries with them and found them a place to sit.

He said when the former minister expressed the desire to go and greet the chiefs and other personalities, he advised him to wait for the ministers to finish with their speeches as the greetings could distract attention.

"My advice to Mr Asamoah Boateng was purely a protocol demand and nothing else".

He said the police did not receive any order from the ministers to prevent any other person or Mr Asamoah Boateng from greeting at the funeral.

Mr Odonkoh said when he asked Mr Asamoah Boateng to wait, he seemed to have understood him but the two men who accompanied him were furious.

He appealed to the public to note that when state officials were at functions there was the need for public to observe protocol and security arrangements.

He said police presence at the funeral was to ensure security and peace.