Chief destooled for serving as NDC polling agent
Nana Ekon Ansa Boafo, the Ankobeahene of Essienimpong in the Ashanti Region, has been destooled for engaging in partisan politics. He allegedly acted as a polling agent of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December 7 general election.
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Nana Boafo is said to have worked publicly with the NDC in the area and had consequently been made to suffer traditional sanction for choosing partisan politics above traditional duties.
In the Akan traditional system, the Ankobeahene, who is a divisional chief, is the caretaker of the palace.
The traditional authority also accused the Ankobeahene of causing fear and panic in the town on the day of election.
A linguist of Essienimpong, Opanin Kwasi Anarfi, confirmed the destoolment of the Ankobeahene, in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
He said the rituals associated with the destoolment would be performed after the funeral of the Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem.
Failure to honour invitation
Opanin Anarfi said on December 7, 2016, Nana Boafo, as his duty demanded, was to have led the Chief of Essienimpong, Nana Kwaku Appiah Onwanwani, to cast his vote and also visit some polling stations to observe proceedings.
He said Nana Boafo failed to honour that duty and rather acted as a polling agent and that incurred the wrath of the traditional authority.
Again, he said, the Ankobeahene, during the voting day, invited some policemen to Essienimpong, and informed them that there was chaos in the town.
“What the Ankobeahene did meant that he was creating fear and panic among the people to deter them from going to the polling stations to exercise their franchise,” he contended.
Opanin Anarfi said Nana Boafo also chose to respect his political activity rather than to honour the invitation of the Chief of Essienimpong, for which reason he could not be maintained as a chief.
“The entire Essienimpong and its traditional authority abhor the conduct of Nana Boafo,” he stated.
Likely appeal
The destooled Ankobeahene said he had accepted the “blame” in good faith but accused members of the traditional authority of sanctioning him on the grounds of partisan politics.
He said he was considering making an appeal to the traditional authority for reinstatement.