The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has refuted claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) alleging its intention to politicize the Manhyia palace.
Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande, suggested that the NPP plans to involve the revered traditional institution in partisan politics through the selection of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a royal from the Manhyia palace.
However, in an interview with Citi News, Haruna Mohammed, Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, described Gbande’s comments as unfortunate.
“Unfortunately, when people are identified by where they come from, there is no doubt that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is from a royal gate and that is a fact. The chief [Asantehene] touted this particular angle of which Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh comes.
“Where lies the drawing of the Asantehene or the [Manhyia] palace into politics? The Asantehene’s palace is the most revered in our land. And I don’t think that the Asantehene has ever engaged himself in political activity.
“He is a very distinguished king who is much respected by the rank and file of the kingdom. But it is not a crime for any member that comes from that palace and without title within the chieftaincy divide within the palace to do politics.”