Western Chiefs Lobby For Positions In Akufo-Addo Government

Some traditional leaders in the western region have started lobbying for appointments in the next NPP government following their conviction that the December 7 general election is a done deal for the opposition party.

These smart chiefs, who took advantage of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s recent tour in the region to push forward their agenda, are also lobbying for NPP parliamentary candidates in their respective traditional areas to be made ministers of state.

One of such chiefs is Awulae Kweku Achirensu, Omanhene of Apataim in the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency.

Speaking at a brief meeting between the NPP presidential candidate and chiefs at Axim, Sunday, the 75-year old Apataim chief did not mince words in asking Nana Addo to appoint him as Member of Council of State next year.

According to Awulae, he, together with all members of his family are die-hard supporters of the opposition NPP and should therefore be honoured when the party comes into power.

Mentioning the party’s parliamentary candidate for Jomoro, Paul Essien as his grandson, Awulae Achirensu said it would not be out of place if the PC is also made a minister of state.

The queen mother of Bewie community in Upper Axim traditional area, Nana Manzaba, also appealed to the NPP flag bearer not to forget Catherine Afeku when nominating his ministers. She described the Evalue-Ajomore –Gwira Parliamentary Candidate as a dynamic woman who can help bring the needed change to the area when given a ministerial appointment.

A similar concern was raised by Nana Kwesi Ketewa, the chief of Nkroful, during the campaign launch of the Ellembele constituency of the NPP when Bonzo K’ was officially introduced as the PC.

Besides the PC, the chief urged Nana Addo to offer other opinion leaders in the constituency appointments to enable them team up with Bonzo K’ to develop the constituency, particularly Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s birth place which is desperately crying for a face-lift.

The lobbying business was started by Oberempong Hema Dekyi XIV, Omanhene of Upper Dexcove, when Nana Addo met the two paramount chiefs in the Dixcove community Saturday.

After a very brilliant speech in which the young Hema Dekyi described Nana Addo as an honest man and a mentor to both present and future generations, he asked the NPP flag bearer to offer Kojo Kum a ministerial appointment. The chief expressed optimism in the Ahanta West PC’s ability to deliver when given that opportunity to serve in the impending Akufo-Addo-led government.

This claim was strongly supported by his counterpart from Lower Dixcove, Nana Kwesi Agyeman. But responding to these requests, the NPP presidential candidate said “when we reach the bridge, we would surely cross it.”