President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo was not himself when the families of the late paramount chief of Navrongo and the late District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kassena-Nankana in the Upper East Region, Clement Danduri, called on him at the Flagstaff House (now Jubilee House) last week.
They were there to announce the deaths of their kinsmen who are set to be buried in the next couple of weeks.
Navro-Pio Pe-Asagipare I, passed away in 2015 at the age of 78.
The two families were led to the presidency by elder statesman and Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Council of Elders, C.K. Tedam. He stressed the need for peace and unity to prevail in both families after the deaths of their dear ones.
He believes this would help in the selection process to succeed the two.
After more than a minute silence, grief-stricken Akufo-Addo noted, “It’s a pity that we meet in this circumstance – the announcement of deaths. But then, I think that’s the one thing that we all as human beings know is inevitable. Each one of us sitting in this room, one by one will all be called to meet our maker.”
He emphasized, “But I think the important thing is what you do until then.”
Fortunately however, he said, “Both of the people whose deaths you have come to announce to me are people who lived valuable lives, made valuable contributions to the community, to their country.”
He therefore, asked those they left behind – friends, families, loved ones – to console themselves with the good legacy the two left behind, noting with emphasis, “The people whose deaths brought you here are people you can be proud of.”
President Akufo-Addo described the late Navro Pio as “very influential, respected traditional ruler in our country and a very well-known statesman, scientist and a man who apart from being a traditional ruler, his name was abroad.”
He was hopeful that by the time he visits Navrongo, he will meet a new Navro-Pio installed in an atmosphere of peace and unity so that the work of his (new Navro-Pio’s) predecessor can be taken forward for the benefit of the people of the area.
“The unity amongst our people at this time is so important for us; we are trying to develop our nation, develop our economy, bring prosperity to our people,” he pointed out.
He also described the late DCE as “a colleague in the common enterprise of our party, a highly respected man, very kind-hearted.”
President Akufo-Addo said, “I liked him because he was very friendly.”
Even though Clement Danduri could not achieve his ambition of becoming a Member of Parliament, Nana indicated that the fact that he became the DCE for Kassena-Nankana meant that his political career was a success.
The families of the late Navro-Pio and the DCE thanked the president for the opportunity, hoping that he would attend the funerals or send a delegation to represent him.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent