Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw VI, the Chief of Mempeasem, has issued an apology to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for his failure to stand for the playing of the National Anthem.
The President of Ghana can be seen in an angry state in a video that has gone viral from the 2023 edition of the Green Ghana Day Celebration, which was held at the University of Ghana. In the video, the President is seen instructing the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, to inform the chief to stand up and follow the National Anthem.
Mempeasem chief apologises to Akufo-Addo over anthem snub
While other Ghanaians stood up to sing the national anthem, the chief remained seated throughout the ceremony. The president's anger was stoked by his behavior.
However, the chief said in a statement that he was unable to stand for the playing of the National Anthem owing to his ongoing battle with illness.
“I would like to state for the record that I did not choose to willfully refuse to stand to observe the National Anthem. I would like to state this for the record. Even more so in the presence of the President and the other notable visitors, no patriotic son or daughter of the land, let alone a chief, would act in such a manner. Due to my lack of strength, I was unable to stand during the playing of the national anthem.
He continued by saying, “At the beginning of the programme, the National Anthem was observed, and the president was seen directing the Regional Minister for Greater Accra, Hon. Henry Quartey, to get my attention to observe the anthem because I was seated while it was being observed.”
He said that the president was seen doing this because he noticed that I was not paying attention to the anthem when it was being observed. Regarding this tragic occurrence, I would like to take this opportunity to politely offer my most heartfelt apologies to both the President of Ghana and the fine people of Ghana.
He issued a plea to the people of Ghana to exercise restraint in their speech.
“I am, therefore, fully apologizing via this email, and I am also advising all Ghanaians to exhibit restraint with their replies, particularly as directed to the number one gentleman of the land.
I am deeply sorry for the offence that this has caused. According to what he said, “Since the President is the guardian of our sovereignty, it is his obligation for him to be zealous in the defense of the same at all times.”
Check out the statement below
