Re: Alhaji Ahmed Olugbon is not the head of Yorubas

The Sarkin Zongo Palace wishes to raise serious objection to your story on the installation of a new Sarkin Zongo, Kumasi, published by The Chronicle in your Monday 1st February, 2010, edition, in which a certain Alhaji Ahmed Anim Olugbon was mentioned as the Chief of Yoruba, among dignitaries who attended the ceremony.

The fact is that the said Alhaji Armed Olugbon did not attend the ceremony, and was in no way present at the event or other activities related to the funeral of the late Sarkin Zongo, and the installation of the successor.

As far as we are concerned, the Ziongo Stool was deeply involved with the funeral ceremonies. Alhaji Rufai Ahmed Alao is recognised as the substantive chief of the Yoruba community.

We seize this opportunity to make it clear that your correspondent in Kumasi has developed the tendency to create stories and publish lies, especially in matters of the Yoruba community affairs, with a view to creating a conflict situation that may lead to bloodshed.

We have ignored previous report of this nature by The Chronicle reporter, but we have come to the conclusion that his intentions are rather malicious, and intended to portray and perpetuate a crisis situation under which the Zongo people will be branded as violent and backward.

We therefore demand a retraction, correction, and apology for this deliberate act, since the person mentioned in the report was neither present at the event, nor under the capacity mentioned by your reporter.

Take notice that the Zongo palace will petition the GJA, the media commission and the BNI, and will hold the reporter responsible for any unpalatable consequences which might result from the said publication.

Abdallah Alim –Tofa, Secretary, Sarkin Zongo Palace Kumasi