In a move that continues to stir controversy, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has maintained the practice of having his presidential chair allegedly transported in a dedicated V8 vehicle during his recent tours.
The latest instance was noted during his visit to communities affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage.
This trend first caught public attention in August 2020, when keen observers pointed out that the President seemed to carry along a specific chair to all public events, regardless of his location across the nation.
Instances were cited during his tours in the North East and Ashanti Regions, where the customary studio seats were set aside in favour of the President’s distinct chair during radio interviews.
The spectacle of the presidential chair, often replacing standard seating arrangements, has drawn mixed reactions. While some individuals argue that it falls within the bounds of standard protocol, others have conjectured spiritual connotations. A more pragmatic explanation was offered by Gabby Otchere-Darko, who posited that the unique chair is employed as a precautionary health measure amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
However, the narrative took a more contentious turn when Lawyer Edudzi Kudzo Tamekloe, earlier this year, expressed his astonishment upon witnessing a whole V8, complete with a driver and guard, devoted solely to the conveyance of the President’s chair. This revelation intensified the debate surrounding the necessity and symbolism of this practice.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, affiliated with the opposition, publicly censured President Akufo-Addo’s action, branding it as a manifestation of “arrogant leadership.” His sentiments echoed the discontent simmering among critics, who view the transportation of the presidential chair as an extravagant and unnecessary protocol.
Amidst the furor, an intriguing explanation has surfaced. A confidential source within the presidency, as reported by ghananewsonline.com.gh, divulged that the chair is no ordinary piece of furniture. It is allegedly equipped with a device designed to administer mild electrical vibrations, intended to keep the President alert and awake during public engagements. This strategy was reportedly devised to counteract any public perception of the President’s fatigue or lack of vigour, especially critical in the lead-up to elections.
The same source revealed a calculated move by the presidency to mask the true purpose of the chair. By encouraging rumours linking the chair to superstition and the supernatural, the presidency hoped to exploit the general populace’s tendency towards these beliefs, thus providing a smokescreen for the chair’s actual utility.
The sight of the presidential chair, whether in radio station studios or at ceremonial events, serves as a constant reminder of the mysteries, debates, and political manoeuvrings that can lurk behind the seemingly mundane.
