Who is your bodyguard to order chiefs to stand? - Ex-diplomat chides Akufo-Addo

A former Ashanti Regional Minister and diplomat, Ambassador Daniel Ohene Agyekum, has rebuked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his conduct towards a chief in the Oti Region.

In a twelve-second video that attracted wide commentary on social media, the president is spotted gesturing to a chief in a manner that could be interpreted as an order for him to rise to his feet before he extends a handshake to the chief.

Speaking on Abusua FM, Ambassador Ohene Agyekum insisted that there is no provision in the Chieftaincy Act mandating chiefs to rise to greet a president.

He told host Kojo Marfo, “I have reviewed the Chieftaincy Act, and nowhere does it stipulate that chiefs must stand to greet the President.”

Recounting his experiences with visiting chiefs alongside former President Mahama, he remarked, “While some chiefs may choose to rise out of respect, there is no legal requirement for chiefs to stand when a president visits, whether at their Palace or during a durbar.”

Ambassador Ohene Agyekum criticized President Akufo-Addo for what he said was an abuse of political authority and a display of arrogance.

He expressed his disapproval of instances where the president’s personal bodyguard instructed a chief to stand, questioning the appropriateness of such actions.

He contended: “Akufo-Addo is arrogant. In these happenings, how can your personal bodyguard tell a chief to stand, who is your bodyguard? The president has done it three times; it is not right, unacceptable, and very unfortunate”.

In response to the Chieftaincy Ministry’s remarks about the matter in contention, Ambassador Agyekum questioned, “Even if Akufo-Addo is the head of state, is it not the Ghanaian people who elected him?”

He urged caution, stating that Ghanaians are weary of President Akufo-Addo’s behaviour, and emphasized the need for him to respect cultural norms and the Chieftaincy Act.

“With all due respect, who made him Akufo-Addo that he wants to tarnish our elders’ image? What he did goes contrary to our culture and our Chieftaincy Act. Those close to Akufo-Addo should tell him enough is enough; we’re tired,” he stressed

He issued a stern warning to President Akufo-Addo and Minister for Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, regarding their statements about not relinquishing power to any victor in the upcoming General Election on December 7, 2024.

Ambassador Agyekum asserted, “We will go to great lengths to ensure that Bawumia does not succeed Akufo-Addo to perpetuate what we perceive as misconduct and corruption."