Pressure on Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Freddy Blay to render an unqualified apology to the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV keeps mounting by the day with the latest coming from Tongu Council of Chiefs.
The Tongu Chiefs condemned the insult on Togbe Afede XIV as unwarranted, demanding an unqualified apology, to Togbe Afede in the dailies, radio and TV.
The Council in a press conference held on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Sogakofe in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region and addressed by Togbega Nakakpo Dugbaza VIII, President of Tongu Council of Chiefs, further asked Blay to apologise to palm wine tappers for suggesting that they are “non- thinkers and non-entities” and also to all chiefs in Ghana.
Freddie Blay is alleged to have insulted Togbe Afede also President of National House of Chiefs as ignorant and questioned if he deals in “palm wine”.
This was after the Agbogbomefia asked for investigations into Blay’s purchase of f 275 buses for the NPP at the cost of $11.4 million during its recently held National Delegates Conference in Koforidua.
Blay’s comment has since generated reactions from a section of the public condemning his reply to Togbe’s admonishing. They believe Togbe Afede’s comment was aimed at addressing the issue of the perception of corruption and should not have provoked such harsh response Mr. Blay.
Just two days ago, the Asogli youth issued a statement warning Mr. Blay to apologise to the Asogli State Council and the National House of Chiefs or risk incurring their wrath.
The group believes an insult to their overlord is to the entire Asogli State. “Chieftaincy institution remains the embodiment of the people and must not be toyed with by any person irrespective of their status in society,” the statement said.
The youth of Asogli State’s call were similar to earlier ones from National House of Chiefs, Asogli State Council and Volta NPP through its Secretary, Mr. Joseph Homenya.
Tongu Council of Chiefs believe that by qualified privilege, Togbe Afede with his standing in society was obliged to call for investigations into Mr. Blay’s purchase of buses just at the last hour of his party’s delegate conference.
The statement said Mr. Blay’s went against the Chieftaincy Act and therefore called on all chiefs to condemn his conduct.
“This is an insult to chiefs and we call on all on chiefs in the country to stand against him and condemn Mr. Blay’s conduct. Additionally, Mr. Blay’s conduct contravened the Chieftaincy Act 2008, Act 759, Section 63, sub-section b.”
By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com
