Nana Akufo-Addo exchanging pleasantries with Togbe Afede
President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed the hope that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which he leads will do everything possible to bridge the gap between it (party) and the Volta Region, where it has very little support.
Recalling Togbe Afede’s statement that the region is a beautiful bride awaiting an appropriate man and not a loyal housewife waiting for her husband who only comes home when he is hungry, Nana Addo emphasized that the NPP would continue to woo the region “until we marry the bride.”
Nana Addo made the assertion at the palace of the Asogli State in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, when he addressed the chiefs and people at a durbar held to honour Togbe Afede for his election as the President of the National House of Chiefs.
The durbar also attracted a delegation of chiefs from King Agorkorlie of Nortsie in Togo – the ancestral home of the Ewes. The president-elect, responding to a fraternal message from the Nortsie delegation, displayed his bilingual prowess as he spoke French to the amusement of an enthusiastic audience.
He thanked people of the region for their support that made him and the NPP come out victorious in the December 7 elections.
Chiefs Honour Afede
Meanwhile, the chiefs and people of the Asogli State have honoured the Agbogbomefia, Togbe Afede XIV, for his new position.
The chiefs, who took turns to share fraternal and congratulatory messages, were hopeful that the new appointment of Togbe Afede would lead to a major transformation of the chieftaincy institution in Ghana.
Togbe Afede was elected last November as the President of the National House of Chiefs, taking over from Naa Professor John Nabila after an eight-year term.
Addressing the gathering, Togbe Afede said that the chieftaincy institution must get more involved in national affairs to help realize the developmental aspirations of Ghanaians.
Congratulates Nana
The President of the National House of Chiefs congratulated Nana Akufo-Addo on his victory, adding humorously, “I won and you won.” He continued, “It will require that we do things differently as the more of the same approach will not produce different results and that is why people believe in your ‘change’ agenda. We will stand by you to give genuine support to private initiatives to liberate the private sector so we can unleash the full potential of Ghanaians on the economy.”
He also used the opportunity to thank all the members of the National House of Chiefs and other traditional rulers in the country for their support.
Nana Addo also congratulated Togbe Afede, saying he was also in a great position to chart a path of lifting the chieftaincy institution to a higher pedestal. “I am sure you will get the support of other like-minded chiefs. I intend to work with you and all others at the traditional councils, the Regional Houses of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs to enhance the governance of our nation, especially since my recent installation as Togbe Dunenyo Dzigbordifia (of Afife Traditional Area in the Volta region). I am now one of you,” he added.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (freduoo@gmail.com)