The chiefs, opinion leaders, youth groups, Asafo companies and traditional groups in Effutu in the Central Region are demanding an unqualified apology from the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over his use of ‘Simpa Panyin’ to refer to the president.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in criticising President John Mahama’s seeming nonchalance in calling his appointees to order said he was like ‘Simpa Panyin’, an old proverbial expression that describes a leader who sits aloof when his followers are misbehaving.
But it seems the people of Winneba are least enthused about Nana Akufo-Addo’s use of the phrase, saying it belittles the contribution of Effutus to national development.
Addressing a press conference, Tufuhen of the Effutu Traditional Council Neenyi Otubua Sripi II on Tuesday said Nana Akufo-Addo is too versed in tradition to know that such “insult” will get them piqued.
“He knows pretty well that his insult at the President who is a Guan using the SIMPA PANYIN adage is an equal insult to the people chosen of Effutu and his words were carefully chosen –The President is like Simpa Payin he lacks character to check his appointees,” the Tufuhen said.
They are therefore asking the NPP leader to apologise or face their wrath.
“We would not allow these abuses and insult to pass without condemnation.
“What we demand in return for our hospitality is respect and not derogatory remarks.
“We therefore demand by this press conference on unqualified apology from the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the SIMPA PANYIN’ accolade that he used for the president, and by extension give the signal to all media houses, individuals and group of individuals that the people of Effutu would deal appropriately with anyone who uses the SIMPA PANYIN’ to describe a hopeless or useless leader.”
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