A video capturing an awkward encounter between President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bikunuto Jewu Soale I, has gone viral, provoking anger over what is seen as the president’s uncultured impudence.
In parts of the footages trending, the President, is seen standing in the company of members of what appear to be his entourage before the Yagbonwura, who was sitting in public, and waiting for the Overlord to stand up from his throne and greet him.
But His Royal Majesty does not acquiesce. In response, some members of the entourage of the President, are seen beckoning the Yagbonwura to get up and greet the President, a gesture that was met with disquiet by persons in the royal entourage of the Yagbonwura.
Amidst the noisy rebuff, at least one member of the President’s entourage, is seen walking close to the throne of the Yagb onwura, apparently in an attempt to tell him to rise and meet the President. However, the Yagbonwura, is seen shaking his head in gentle protest.
The development has since been causing anger, with many people on social media, blasting the President for disrespecting His Royal Majesty, the Yagbonwura.
One of such people is freedom fighter and activist, Oliver Barker Vormawor, who expressed his disgust on X, formerly Twitter.
“Have you also seen these recent videos of Akufo-Addo appearing in front of some chiefs in recent weeks, and commanding them to stand up and bow before stretching their hands to shake him? It is the most nauseating thing you will see in recent weeks. Before the KyebiHene, Nana Addo postrates. And before other chiefs, his handlers are screaming at them to get up and come and shake him. While he himself is standing there smiling sheepishly like a petulant 6-year-old midget with the pot belly of a clown.
Thumbs up to the Yagbonwura for ignoring this buffoonery. I swear any chief that stands up to go and shake those baby hands deserves to be destooled. Abufusem,” Mr Barker Vormawor, wrote on his X handle @Osaagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
In response, Cadman Mills, a brother of late President John Evans Atta Mills, responded that Akufo-Addo’s behaviour, is borne out of a sense of imperial importance.
“But what do you expect? We have an Imperial Presidency. He prostrates before the Kyebihene only, because he knows that in a few months he would have lost all his imperial power and become just an Akyem. Oh when the mighty fall!”
Mr Akufo-Addo, has been seen as the most disrespectful presidents towards traditional rulers in the whole of the Fourth Republic.
In 2021, the President cheekily responded to an ultimatum that the Overlord of Aflao in the Volta Region, Togbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti, had given the Ministry of Education to complete an E-Block that had been abandoned by the government.
Speaking to the issue on Peace FM, Akufo-Addo, asked if the Paramount chief, had any right to issue ultimatums, before asking the chief to go and complete the project, if he wishes.
Under this same Akufo-Addo, Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu ll, has had cause to complain that he was being disrespected by Akufo-Addo and the so-called Akyem Mafia.