2 NPP supporters slapped with fine of 12 rams, eggs, fowls, schnapps … for invoking curse over primaries
The Offinso Traditional Council has imposed a fine of 12 rams, three crates of eggs, three fowls and a box of Schnapp, on supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Offinso South Constituency of the Ashanti Region, for invoking a curse on some party members.
The Offinso chiefs summoned two party members, following curses they invoked regarding attempt by NPP to declare Mr Ben Abdallah Banda, unopposed in the impending party parliamentary primaries, in the consistency.
A linguist, Kyeame Bismark, who summoned (charged) the two before the Offinso Paramount Chief, Nana Wiafe Akenten lll, noted that Mr Kwasi Adu Gyemfi and Mr Offeh Collins Kingsley, NPP members together with some Offinso youth were captured in a viral footage invoking curses along ‘Offin Abena River without authorisation.
He said in their incantations, they blasphemed with unprintable abusive utterances against women and the youth staying within Offinso enclave.
For their punishment, the traditional council demanded a box of Schnapps, six crates of eggs, 24 sheep and six fowls.
But later, the fine was slashed by half, following a plea by Nkwanta Kesse Chief, Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, on behalf of the two NPP suporters.
Nana Wiafe- Akenten urged the constituency party chairman, Mr Amoafo Atuobi Boakye Yiadom (also known as (a.k.a) Chairman Bantama and other executives, to ensure peace and unity within the party and Offinso).
The Offinso Naduasa Chief, who doubled as Offinso Baamuhene, Nana Kofi Adu Boahene, said, “It is prohibited by the Offinso Traditional Council and Asanteman as a whole to call on a deity to invoke a curse to seek instant justice.”
Mr Boakye Yiadom applauded the chiefs for accepting the plea from the party, and being ‘soft’ on the two offenders.
He said he would ensure strict sanctions on NPP supporters involved in invoking curses, as ordered by the party’s General Secretary, Mr John Boadu.
Mr Boakye Yiadom advised parliamentary aspirants to adhere to the party’s guidelines, for a smooth election, describing the primaries as a “home affair”.
In a related development, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, Chairman of the Ashanti Regional National Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency chairmen, had asked all party members and supporters to respect the decisions of the national leadership of the party.
He said the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party had been mandated to take firm and appropriate decisions for the entire good of the party and it was important for all to respect its decision or follow the due processes to seek redress.
Recently, party members in some constituencies in the Ashanti Region resorted to protests and invoking curses on the constituency, regional and national executives of the party, for their alleged roles in the disqualification of their preferred candidates contesting the upcoming primaries.
Offinso South, Asokwa, Dormaa East and Juaben for instance, witnessed series of demonstrations by some aggrieved party members over the disqualification of their candidates in the upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The aggrieved party members have also resorted to invoking curses on their party leaders for their alleged complicity in the disqualifications.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
