Get up – Akufo-Addo orders Chiefs to stand before handshake at late Alhaji Rashid Bawa’s funeral

A video that has surfaced on social media has garnered harsh criticism against President Akufo-Addo.

The video captures the President’s presence at the funeral ceremony of the late Alhaji Rashid Bawa, whom the government held a funeral ceremony for on Saturday, April 20, at Kadjebi in the Oti Region.

The recent controversy involving the president occurred when President Akufo-Addo decided to extend his felicitations to the traditional authorities present.

When President Akfuo-Addo appeared before the Chiefs, he was dissatisfied that they were seated. Together with his ‘bodyguards’, he instructed the chiefs to rise before he shook hands with them. He waited till they were upstanding before he shook their hands.

The issue has not been taken lightly by netizens on social media. Aside from condemning the president and the action, they questioned whether President Akufo-Addo would dare to put up such an act in front of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

“Can he do this to Otumfour, Okyehene, DormaaHene or Ga Mantse?” an X user wrote.

Another added, “You can’t do this at Akwasidae! That one I can assure you not even a Kontihene.”

Alhaji Rashid Bawa, 64, a legal practitioner, died on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. His body was flown to Ghana and buried at Kadjebi on Friday, March 15, 2024, in line with Islamic customs and traditions.

A funeral ceremony in his honour was held over the weekend to appreciate his immense contribution to Mother Ghana.

Ahaji Ahmed Bawa, an elder brother of Rashid, who read the family tribute, said: “Our family is devastated with the loss of
Rashid and we’re shattered and depressed.”

In a tribute, Mrs Mariyam Issa Bawa, the widow, described Alhaji Bawa as a wonderful person, best father and a role model
to their cherished children.

The NPP National Chairman, Mr Stephen Ayensu Ntim, in a tribute read on behalf of the Party, described Alhaji Bawa as a
man of principle and exceptionally high standards.

He said the late Ambassador stood at all times for honour, humility, hard work, commitment to duty, integrity, accountability, compassion and service to the motherland and mankind. There were tributes from the Kadjebi Traditional Council and the children.