Ghana: Atebubu Chiefs invoke gods on banned MP

Sanja Nanja

The woes of the Member of Parliament for Atebubu Amanten constituency in the Brong Ahafo region seem to be over as the chiefs invoked the gods of the land on him for insulting the Queen mother, Nana Afua Denyina. Sanja Nanja is said to have launched a vitriolic attack on the Queen-mother in an interview with a local radio station for meddling in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) internal affairs.

This was after some angry youth of the former District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Sampson Owusu Boateng, clashed with supporters of the MP for his unfair removal. 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. The Queen mother, Nana Afua Denyina according to reports blamed Hon. Sanja Nanja for the mêlée.

In response, the livid MP insulted her and branded her a drunkard. This, the Traditional Council said is gross disrespect and banned the MP from all public functions. Sanja Nanja has since rendered an unqualified apology to the Queen mother for the slip of tongue.

But the plea seems to have fallen on death ears. On Friday, April 8, 2016 which marks one-week of the incident, the youth and chiefs in the area led by the Paramount Chief of Atebubu Traditional Council, Nana Owusu Achew Brempong II embarked on a ritual to formally inform their ancestors about the issue. According to reportes, they slaughtered a sheep and poured the blood on the gods to signify their seriousness.