The Ankobeahene of the Begoro Traditional area in the Eastern Region, Baffour Owiredu Agyarko Minta II, has been summoned to appear before the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council for making partisan comments by openly endorsing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.
He is also alleged to have curses on the ruling New Patriotic Party.
The embattled chief is appearing before the traditional authority today at Ofori Panin Fie, Kyebi.
The Ankobehene during a campaign visit by former President Mahama to Begoro recently, said “On behalf of the chiefs, they fully endorsed Mr. John Mahama as the incoming President of Ghana. That the people of Begoro must vote massively for the flagbearer of the NDC, that the 24-hour economic policy of the NDC government will rescue the people of Begoro from poverty’’.
He continued that ‘’… and that all Nananom have invoked the gods by pouring libation against breaking the eight mantras of the New Patriotic Party government (NPP). That the people of Begoro must be vigilant against the vote-rigging agenda of the current government, that the parliamentary candidate of the NDC lost by dubious means in the previous election, and that the people of Begoro must vote massively for him in the coming election.”
However some of the chiefs including the regent of the Begoro stool and acting Benkumhene, Daasebre Ofosu Kwabi Ayebiahwe and Okyeame Owusu of the Begoro stool, alleged that Nana Owiredu Agyarko Minta comments were partisan and therefore petitioned the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council to question his actions for bringing the name of the Begoro and Benkum stool into disrepute and subjected it to political ridicule by engaging in partisan politics.
Due to that, a writ of summons, signed by D.M. Ofori-Atta, the secretary of the traditional council summoned Nana Owiredu Agyarko Minta to appear before the council today, Monday, February 19, 2024 to answer for his actions.
Among the reliefs sought by the petitioners are an order of destoolment as Ankobeahene of Begoro, a declaration nullifying the respondent’s conduct, a public recantation of the alleged comments, an unqualified apology to the petitioners and the people of Begoro, and punitive customary sanctions if found liable.
-BY Daniel Bampoe