Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has refuted allegations that his campaign disrespected the chiefs of Dromankese in Nkoranza North, Bono East Region.
On Monday, the chief of Dromankese, Obrempong Danso Abeam, along with his elders, invoked curses on Mr. Mahama and the NDC parliamentary candidate, Joseph Mensah, accusing them of showing disrespect.
The chief and his elders claimed Mr. Mahama had failed to fulfill his promise to visit the palace during his campaign tour. They waited for him but later discovered around 7:00 PM that he had already left the town without meeting them.
However, the former President has stated the changes had been communicated in advance.
“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,” he said while addressing the media.
According to him, the viral video of the chief invoking curses came to him as a shock.
“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 stated.
He revealed that he had a conversation with the chief, who admitted that his sub-chief had been wrong in his public outburst.
Mr. Mahama referred to the incident as an “occupational hazard” and informed reporters that his campaign team was striving to ensure that traditional leaders in the areas they visit are more involved in their events.
“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.
Meanwhile, the issues have been resolved with the curses invoked.