Traditional authorities and residents of Gyedu in the Mfantseman Municipality are calling on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately remove the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Eric Stanley Acquah, over alleged derogatory remarks made against the community.
More than 20 chiefs and hundreds of residents gathered at the Gyedu Chief’s Palace to petition the president, accusing the MCE of disrespecting the community and its traditional leadership during activities marking National Sanitation Day.
According to the Chief of Gyedu and Asaamanhene of the Mankessim Traditional Council, Nana Nyanful VI, the MCE allegedly described Gyedu as a “bush” and referred to its inhabitants as “villagers” while commenting on the proposed site for the government’s planned 24-Hour Economy Market.
Nana Nyanful VI condemned the remarks as “disrespectful, unfortunate and unbecoming of a government official.”
“To describe Gyedu, a well-established community with recognised traditional leadership and a rich history, as a bush is an insult not only to us but to generations who have contributed to the development of Mfantseman,” he told journalists at a press conference.
The chief added that such comments undermine the development agenda and the positive image of President Mahama’s administration and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the municipality.
He further accused the MCE of consistently showing disregard for traditional authorities and failing to demonstrate the leadership qualities expected of the office he occupies.
The traditional council has given Eric Stanley Acquah a one-week ultimatum to publicly apologise to the chiefs and people of Gyedu. Failure to do so, Nana Nyanful VI warned, will compel the traditional authorities to ban the MCE from entering the community for any official assignment.
“We have lost confidence in his leadership,” the Chief stated. “Public office holders must treat communities and traditional authorities with dignity and respect, regardless of political affiliations.”
Residents who spoke at the gathering echoed the chiefs’ concerns, saying they had lost confidence in the MCE’s leadership.
They described the alleged reference to Gyedu as a “village” or “bush” as an insult to generations of residents who have contributed significantly to the growth and development of the municipality.
They vowed to continue pressing for a public apology and appropriate action until the matter is resolved.
Nana Nyanful VI also appealed directly to President Mahama to reshuffle the MCE, insisting that his conduct is creating avoidable tension and could negatively affect the government’s reputation in the Mfantseman Municipality.
Efforts to reach Eric Stanley Acquah for a response to the allegations proved unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Source: Douglas Oyiboh Amponsah
