NDC dissociates from comments against Okyenhene

The Okyeman Caucus within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dissociated itself from comments made by Kwame Zu, the Ashanti Region Secretary, during the march by the Coalition for National Sovereignty last week.

Kwame Zu’s comments had incensed the Okyeman Traditional Council, whose members joined a demonstration in Kyebi to call not only him but other NDC officials to order.

The Council members demanded that the NDC offer ritual pacification over the comments by the party’s regional executive or risk being banned.

But a statement issued by the Okyeman Caucus and signed by Coordinator Victor Smith on Wednesday, September 25 expressed “sadness about the unfortunate and regrettable pronouncements of one of our political party members during a demonstration in Kumasi”.

It said the demonstration was not that of the NDC and so the member did not make the comments “on an NDC platform nor on behalf of the party on this occasion and our political party cannot, therefore, be associated with his regrettable pronouncements”.

Kwame Zu has since apologized for the comments.

“Even though our colleague issued a personal unqualified apology soon after his unacceptable utterances, we wish to add our voices to reaffirm and place on record our utmost respect for the Okyeman Council and the Okyenhene himself.

“We pledge not to countenance any such disrespect of our traditional elders from any quarter,” the statement said.

But it said the Council should have “exercised restraint” in their warning to Kwame Zu “in order not to exacerbate the already charged political atmosphere in the country”.

The Caucus begged the elders to temper justice with mercy and accept Kwame Zu’s apology.