The Member of Parliament for the Atebubu-Amantin Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Sanja Nanja, has been banned by traditional authorities from engaging in any social activity in the area.
According to the Atebubu Traditional Council, the MP has disrespected them by using some offensive words against the queen-mother of the town.
They claim the MP used the offensive words on the Queen-mother in an interview with a local radio station, and has since not apologized for his conduct.
[contextly_sidebar id=”ns8QwpO8bwa4Hv7FqUnTC9gHLvzJ25RK”]A statement signed by Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong II, Chief and President of the Atebubu Traditional Area, said they took the action to serve as a form punishment to the MP.
“This was during an interview he (the MP) granted on Pink Radio 96.9MHZ mid-day news on Friday 1st April, 2016 also carried on peacefmonline.com. By this conduct, the chiefs and people have arrived at these decisions against the MP. This is to avert any unforeseen happenings that may arise from his unguarded statement and to ensure peace in the socio-political life of the area,” the statement noted.
According to the statement, the decision will also serve as a deterrent to those “want to undermine the integrity and freedom of the chieftaincy institution” because “it is a an offense to insult any chief or a Queen-mother in the Traditional Area.”
Clashes
Some angry followers of the MP clashed with supporters of the former DCE for the area, Sampson Owusu Boateng, who has been removed from office.
Following the clashes, some youth believed to be supporters of the dismissed DCE, set fire to the NDC’s party office in the area.
Later, some NDC youth also allegedly ransacked the home of the official bungalow of the former DCE. Three people have so far been arrested following the clashes.
Below is the Traditional Authority’s full statement:
BAN OF ATEBUBU-AMANTIN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (HON. SANJA NANAJA) FROM ATEBUBU, OWUSU ASARE PALACE AND OTHER EVENTS
The Atebubu Traditional Area has with effect from today 3rd April 2016 banned Hon. Sanja Nanja (MP) for the Atebubu-Amantin constituency from:
- Visiting the Omanhene’s Palace indefinately.
- The Omanhene and his Subchiefs will not attend any event organised by the said MP.
- The Omanhene and his Subchiefs will not honour invitation to any event organised by government when the MP is present.
- No subchief’s Odikro under the authority of Atebubu Traditional Area should receive the MP as a guest or visit him
5.The MP is also banned from attending any funeral and social events organised within the jurisdiction of Atebubu Traditional Area.
We have taken this action against the said MP for insulting and disrespecting the Queen mother of the Traditional Area and the Queen mothers stool.
This was during an interview he (The MP) granted on Pink Radio 96.9MHZ mid day news on Friday 1st April, 2016 also carried on peacefmonline.com.
By this conduct, the chiefs and people have arrived at these decisions against the MP. This is to avert any unforeseen happenings that may arise from his unguarded statement and to ensure peace in the socio-political life of the Area.
The MP after making the ‘unparliamentary statement against the Queenmother of the Area has still not shown any remorse and apologized for the invectives he spewed on the Queen mother and the people of Atebubu.
This we believe will serve as a punishment and deterrence to others who thing like the MP. It will also help to caution those who want to undermine the integrity and freedom of the chieftaincy institution. I is a criminal offense to insult any chief or a Queenmother in the Tradtional Area.
Signed
Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong II
(Omanhene and President of Atebubu Traditional Area)
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana