JJ Weeps Over Insults On Airwaves

Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings has expressed his unhappiness over insults Ghanaians are hurling at each other because of political intolerance.

Mr. Rawlings wondered why Ghanaians would chart such a divisive path instead of tolerating and accommodating one another's views, despite the individual's political affiliation. He said: “The hot and unproductive insults on the airwaves must cease. We must be ready to accommodate whoever our political opponent is.”

Ex-President Rawlings expressed his unhappiness, when he called on the chiefs and people of the Osudoku Traditional Area in the Shai-Osudoku District to offer his condolences on the death and burial of their late Paramount Chief and President of the area, Nene Klagbordjor Animle V.

JJ was of the view that the incessant insults and intolerance expressed on the airwaves cannot help in protecting the electoral process when Ghanaians go to the polls this year. He said the insults are forms of intimidation, “and we do not need any form of intimidation as we prepare for this year's general elections.”

In order to protect the electoral process, JJ encouraged political parties and their supporters to demonstrate maturity in their utterances and accommodate unparalleled political views.

He tasked the people of the Osudoku Traditional Area to exhibit the peaceful and tolerant heart the late Paramount Chief, Nene Klagbordjor Animle V, exhibited, especially, in the face of difficult moments. He said Nene Animle V showed maturity in his dealings with persons.

Also present at the funeral were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President John Dramani Mahama. Both showed up at different times after JJ Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, had left the funeral grounds. In addition to commending the late Nene Animle V as the longest serving Paramount Chief, President Mahama was full of praise to the chiefs and people of Osudoku Traditional Area for their peaceful succession for the late Chief.

He expressed his readiness to meet the successor, Nene Ngogmowuyaa Kwesi Animle VI, at the Seat of Government, after he has been officially gazetted. He seized the moment to tell the mourning gathering how the government was doing its best in the provision of social infrastructure, which the people will build on to make money.

President Mahama revealed that the area's roads had been awarded for rehabilitation, adding that the roads, when completed, will be the main thorough fare on the eastern corridor to join Asikuma in the Asuogyamang District in the Eastern Region. Later, when he quietly showed up at the grounds, Nana Addo, in few words, sympathised with the bereaved family over the loss of their longest serving Paramount Chief.

Overwhelmed by the reception given him by the mourners, the 2016 NPP presidential candidate entreated the chiefs and people of the Osudoku Traditional Area to vote for him and the NPP when they go to the polls.

The late Paramount Chief and President of the Osudoku Traditional Area, Nene Klagbordjor Animle V, was born in 1924 and enstooled in 1944. Known in private life as Samuel Adi Klagbordjor Nartey, Nene Animle V passed on in 2014.  He was survived by a son and two daughters.

From Inusa Musah, Osuwem