The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama, has rejected claims his campaign disrespected chiefs of Dromankese, insisting that the changes had been communicated in advance.
In a video on social media, some chiefs in the area are seen hurling curses at the Mahama Campaign for what they describe as a snub of Dromankese Chiefs during his recent four-day campaign tour of the Bono East Region.
However, addressing journalists during a media encounter to climax his tour of the region, former President Mahama expressed shock at the claims and reiterated his deep respect for traditional leaders.
“An advanced team had gone because we knew that looking at that day’s program, we were going to get there late. And we didn’t want the situation where chiefs will sit and you’ll come late and they tell you, you did not respect them because we came late. And so the day before we had sent to tell the chiefs that we would not be visiting the palace but said that if they were willing, they should come and join us at the rally grounds.
“And so when we got to Dromankese, there was nothing like going to the palace. It was just going straight to the rally grounds so I was surprised to see a chief invoking curses against us at that place,” Mr. Mahama said on the matter.
He disclosed that he had met the chief of the area who conceded to him that his sub-chief had erred in his public outbursts.
Mr. Mahama called the episode an “occupational hazard” and told reporters his campaign was working to make events more inclusive of traditional leaders whose areas they visited.
“I just want to tell our chiefs that we respect them and as much as possible, we will incorporate them into our program. Where it is possible to visit them in their palaces we will do so,” the former president assured.
“But do not want to inconvenience them late in the night when we know our programs are running late,” he added.
