NDC’s Kwame Zu apologizes for ‘unsavory’ comments against Okyenhene

The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwame Zu has apologized over comments he made against Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and Okyeman.

His apology comes after a three-day ultimatum was issued by the chiefs and residents of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council to apologise and offer a spiritual pacification for suggesting that the Okyehene had resorted to sharing drinking water with animals.

The Ashanti Regional Secretary in a statement on Tuesday rendered an apology to the Okyenhene, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and indeed all Ghanaians for the said comment against the Chief.

“I hereby wish to unreservedly render an unqualified apology to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and indeed all Ghanaians for the said statement,” extracts of the statement available to The Ghana Report reads.

He added “I revere and have always revered the chieftaincy institution in Ghana and for that matter hold the Okyenhene in high esteem and would not deliberately undermine the chiefly powers of the Okyenhene who has shown great leadership over the years”.

Find below the statement from the Ashanti Regional Secretary

STATEMENT OF APOLOGY TO THE OKYENHENE AND THE AKYEM ABUAKWA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

It has come to my attention that a statement I made at a demonstration organised by the Coalition for National Sovereignty which was held in Kumasi on the 19th day of September, 2019 has generated a furore.

While making a presentation at the said demonstration, I did point out to many ills of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government that threaten our collective existence as a nation. In a very charged atmosphere, I did make a statement regarding the remarkable efforts made by President John Dramani Mahama to provide potable water for inhabitants of Kyebi and its surrounding areas some of whom hitherto were drinking unwholesome water.

Knowing that the Okyenhene just like most traditional rulers in Ghana have deep love for their people and at all times empathise with them, I did make a statement to the effect that until potable water was provided for the Okyenhene and his people, they drank unwholesome water. The said statement was used in good faith and figuratively to underscore that the Okyenhene did not drink different water from his subjects, again flowing from the love he has for his people. After deeply reflecting over the said statement and the interpretation given it by a section of the public, which interpretation is plausible, I wholeheartedly regret for making that statement.

I hereby wish to unreservedly render an unqualified apology to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and indeed all Ghanaians for the said statement. I revere and have always revered the chieftaincy institution in Ghana and for that matter hold the Okyenhene in high esteem and would not deliberately undermine the chiefly powers of the Okyenhene who has shown great leadership over the years.

Once again, my sincere apologies to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and all Ghanaians for my statement.

Thank you and may God bless us all!