The hullaballoo over whether the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be given the blessing of the Sunyani Traditional Council to hold their extraordinary national delegates’ conference at the Brong-Ahafo Regional capital, was finally settled few hours before the event began on Saturday.
It took the personal intervention of the NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who telephoned the Omanhene of Sunyani, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri.
Ghanaian Times sources said the NPP flagbearer personally requested a private meeting with the traditional ruler of Sunyani, aimed at seeking his blessing for the event as courtesy demands as the custodians of the land.
The STC has been in tango with the Brong-Ahafo Regional branch of the NPP over what the Council said was intemperate language used by the party’s regional chairman Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh against the Omanhene.
It all started when, the chief was criticised by the regional NPP for promising President John Mahama and his ruling National Democratic Congress 80 per cent votes in the municipality during next year’s general election.
The NPP was asked by prominent citizens of the traditional area to apologise, but it failed to do so.
Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh then dared the paramount chief to seek redress in the law courts, if he felt offended.
Tension heightened on the eve of the conference when the party declined to inform the STC of the event as demanded by tradition.
News went viral on numerous social media platforms that the STC planned stopping the event because of the snub.
Although the council refuted the allegation, it nevertheless went ahead to issue a press statement that it was aware of the event taking place within its jurisdiction.
On Friday, it issued another statement which was signed by the Akwamuhene of the Council, Nana Kwaku Ababio which stated that, “we are sorry to inform you that the council cannot receive Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his entourage”.
But palace source confirmed to The Ghanaian Times that Nana Akufo-Addo was unhappy about the turn of events, and personally called the Omanhene to request for audience.
He later met the chief at his private residence near the Sunyani Airport area where matters were settled behind close doors.
The NPP later issued a statement emphasising that, “Nana Akufo-Addo and his team were warmly received by the Omanhene and his eleders”.
It added that the flagbearer was accompanied by Dr. Mahamdu Bawumia, his running mate, Nana Obiri Boahen, NPP Deputy General Secretary, Madam Ama Busia and Hackman Owusu Agyeman, both members of the party’s National Council of Elders.
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