Okyenhene forgives Kwame Zu and lifts ban on NDC in Kyebi area

The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional  Council has lifted the ban on the activities of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the area.

The ban was imposed on the party following some unacceptable remarks against the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, by the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Kwame Zu,  during an anti-government protest in Kumasi about four months ago.

The ban

Subsequently the traditional council banned the party in all the 940 communities in Okyeman.

At a meeting in Kyebi on Thursday, December 5, the leadership of the NDC, led by its chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, through the Guantoahene, Barima Kofi Agyei Twene, pleaded for mitigation from the council.

After a closed-door meeting earlier, Mr Zu, in the company of the leadership of the party, was led outside where libation was poured and a ram slaughtered to revoke curses made against him on September 23, after a demonstration by chiefs and people in Kyebi.

An attempt by some irate youth to hang the ram on Mr Zu’s neck was, however, resisted by the NDC delegation.

After a back and forth discussion, Mr Zu was fined 98 rams and 98 cartons of Schnapps. However, this was reduced to 48 apiece.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who was not at the meeting, after consultation with some members of the council, waived off the fine, bringing much relief to the NDC leaders.

The Okyenhene through his chief linguist, Okyeame  Barima Kodwo Antwi Boasiako, described Mr Zu’s comments as unacceptable, hence the decision of the council to ban activities of the NDC in the area.

He said the party could now campaign in the traditional area and said such an act should not be repeated as it would not be countenanced.

Invitation

The Okyenhene used the opportunity to invite the NDC to his 20th anniversary durbar slated for December 14, 2019 in Kyebi.

For his part, Mr Ofosu Ampofo thanked the council for its magnanimity and gave an assurance that such an unfortunate incident would not happen again.

He said the NDC would be fully represented on December 14 to pay homage to Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin.

After the meeting, Mr Zu was whisked away by the police through a back door to avoid a charged crowd gathered at the forecourt of the Ofori Panin Palace.