Akufo-Addo’s Arrogance on Display: Disrespecting Chiefs Raises Concerns – Eric Adjei

A few days ago, President Akufo-Addo was seen openly insulting and showing disrespect towards a Chief who failed to stand while the National the National Anthem was being played. This display of arrogance by the President is not only disrespectful to the Chief in question but also to the wider community of chiefs and the Chieftaincy institution across the length and breadth of Ghana. Any person of sound judgment in society should condemn such behavior towards a chief in public, not least when such show of smugness is coming from the President of the land.

The role of chiefs in our national development and the preservation of our customs and traditions must always be acknowledged and respected. It is in recognition of this that the Constitution of 1992 accords that institution its pride of place in our scheme of things. Needless to say that if President Akufo-Addo were an ordinary citizen, he would likely be facing criminal prosecution under section 63(c) of the Chieftaincy Act 2008, which prescribes punishment for individuals who knowingly disrespect or insult a chief through words or conduct. The President’s conduct in this case was most reprehensible and unfortunate to say the least.

Moreover, there are specific reasons why chiefs are not held liable in contempt of court during legal proceedings when making statements in good faith during legitimate customary practices. These reasons are also why customary law is included in Article 11(2) of the 1992 constitution, which provides that the common law of Ghana shall comprise the rules of customary law. Such provisions ensure that certain customary laws are preserved and not phased out in the practice of our democracy.

In any case, is it a crime for a chief not to stand during the observation of the National Anthem? If it is, can the President instruct the Asantehene, Okyehene, or Yaa Naa to stand during the anthem? If it is not a crime, then the President should not have taken the actions he did towards the Ga sub-chief. Instead, as a matter of courtesy, he should have sought to understand why the chief refused to stand, perhaps due to customs that prohibit such actions or some good reason which should be respected.

The President’s arrogant posture indicates one thing—that he fails to see why, as the President of the Republic, he stood up to observe the National Anthem while a sub-chief did not. Akufo-Addo’s disrespect towards chiefs did not begin recently but has been ongoing for a long time. We all would recall how he insulted the chief of Aflao when the chief voiced concerns about neglected projects in his area.

He once gathered chiefs to support his fight against illegal mining (Galamsey), which he ultimately failed to honor. One prominent display of his blatant disrespect is his unwavering refusal to occupy any chair within the palace except the presidential one. This deliberate choice reveals his complete disregard for anything that is perceived as inferior in a traditional sense.

In any case, who has disrespected and disregarded National symbols than President Akufo-Addo who once mounted a podium draped in the Ghana flag? Such was the disdain of Akufo-Addo towards the national flag!

President Akuffo Addo must abandon his arrogant posturing towards traditional leaders and show respect to our chiefs who play a significant role in the development and preservation of our customs and traditions.