Chiefs boycott independence celebration

Members of the Swedruman Council of Chiefs on Thursday boycotted Ghana's 57th Independence Anniversary celebration held at Agona Swedru in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region.

The decision by the Council was necessitated by the disrespectful attitude shown by Mr Samuel Oppong, Agona West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after the parade of school children and voluntary organisations, Nana Ogyabea Badu Ehuren, Sanaahene of the Council of Chiefs, said the chiefs failed to turn up because they received the letter of the invitation two days to the programme from the Agona West Municipal Assembly.

He said they also refused to turn up due to the strange relationship that has ensued between the chiefs and the MCE.

According to the Sanaahene, they also took that decision after last Wednesday's protest march organised by the chiefs against the MCE over the collapse of the metal bridge on the Akora River which was dynamited by the contractor working on the river.

Nana Ehuren said the Swedruoman Council of Chiefs have also vowed not to attend any public gathering which would be attended by the MCE.

He further stated that the protest against the MCE would continue until President John Dramani Mahama removes Mr Samuel Oppong from office.

The Sanaahene called on President Mahama to probe the construction of the drainage on the Akora River to ensure fairness and transparency.

According to him, the Swedruman Council of Chiefs would honour any invitation to a programme which would be attended by the President of the republic, and therefore called on the President to exercise his powers to ensure the speedy reconstruction of the collapse bridge which had crippled business activities at Agona Swedru.