Thirty-two (32) divisional and sub-chiefs under the Nkusukum Traditional Council in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region have unanimously imposed a ban on the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Dr. Ebenezer Prince Arhin, over what they describe as persistent acts of disrespect toward the traditional authority.
The chiefs have prohibited the MP from setting foot on any land within the Nkusukum Traditional Area and from participating in any traditional ceremonies or engagements until further notice.
The action follows growing tensions between the traditional council and the MP, particularly over allegations that he diverted a proposed 24-hour economy market project from its originally designated location within the traditional area without consulting the chiefs.
Dressed in red and black to signify displeasure and mourning, the chiefs performed customary rites, including the pouring of libation, and invoked the gods of the land to sanction the MP should he disregard the directive.
Addressing a press conference at the Nkusukum Palace, the Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Council, Nana Okesse Essandoh IX, expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the MP’s disregard for traditional leadership and authority.
According to the Omanhene, several attempts by the Council to engage Dr. Ebenezer Arhin on issues affecting the constituency, including development projects and misunderstandings surrounding the 24-hour economy market initiative, have been unsuccessful.
He stated that despite repeated invitations and calls from the traditional council, the MP has allegedly failed to honour them or appear before the chiefs to explain his actions.
Nana Okesse Essandoh IX further appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and call the MP to order in the interest of peace and development within the constituency.
“As we speak, the MP has not honoured our traditional calls.
We have exercised patience and shown respect, yet our concerns have been ignored.
We are pleading with President John Mahama to call his MP to order.
From today onwards, the entire Nkusukum Traditional Council, led by me, no longer recognizes Dr. Ebenezer Arhin as our Member of Parliament.
He should not think he can set foot in any divisional or sub-chief’s palace within this traditional area.”
The Paramount Chief warned that the continued breakdown in relations between the MP and the traditional council could have serious political consequences.
He maintained that traditional leaders play a critical role in community development and governance and should be accorded the respect they deserve by elected officials.
“If Dr. Arhin continues to disrespect the Nkusukum Traditional Council, he should not expect our support in future elections.
The Council will do everything within its power to ensure he loses the 2028 parliamentary election. If he refuses to change his attitude, he will become a one-term Member of Parliament.”
As part of the sanctions, the Gyaasehene of the Nkusukum Traditional Council, Nana Badu, led the chiefs in performing traditional rites and invoking the ancestral gods of the land to deal with anyone who disrespects the authority of the stool or violates the ban imposed on the MP.
The ceremony attracted scores of traditional leaders,elders, opinion leaders and residents who gathered at the palace to witness the declaration.
Meanwhile, efforts by tolonradio.com to obtain a response from the Member of Parliament were unsuccessful.
When contacted by phone, Dr. Ebenezer Prince Arhin reportedly indicated that he was outside the constituency and therefore could not immediately comment on the allegations and sanctions imposed by the traditional council.
The development is expected to heighten political and traditional tensions within the Mfantseman Constituency as residents await the MP’s official response to the concerns raised by the chiefs.
Source:tolonradio.com
