Chiefs and other traditional leaders in the Volta Region have been advised not to be biased towards presidential candidates in this year’s general elections.
The people of the Volta region, stronghold of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), usually vote massively for the party in polls.
Currently, the NDC members hold all the seats in region.
Meanwhile, recent developments have seen an increase in the support base of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the region.
It is therefore not surprising that the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs (VRHC), Togbe Afede XIV, has strongly advised chiefs in the region to welcome all candidates irrespective of their political affiliations.
He further appealed to the chiefs to refrain from openly endorsing candidates and political parties during the elections, adding that such behavior could affect the development of the region.
Togbe Afede, who was addressing the second general meeting of the VRHC, stressed that “Let’s welcome all the candidates. Grant access to all…this is very important for the unity of our region and development of the country. As chiefs, let your conduct promote and cement peace in the country.”
Togbe Afede, who is also the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in Ho, further asked the chiefs not to allow the region to be used as a “political battle ground” in the upcoming general elections.
He praised the peaceful nature of the people of the region and called on the chiefs in the region to do everything within their power during the election period to maintain a peaceful atmosphere to facilitate development in the region.
President Mahama of the NDC and Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are the major candidates in the upcoming elections, although there are other candidates from other political parties.
This will be the third time Nana Akufo-Addo is making an attempt to become the president of the country.
President Mahama, who was elected in 2012 after the death of the John Atta Mills in 2012, will be seeking re-election this year.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (freduoo@gmail.com)