-A group affiliated to the NPP is claiming they have been paid by their regional chairman to stage a protest during the tour
-Their allegation is the second scandal to hot the tour after a memo directing MMDAs to fund it
It may not be a rousing welcome for President Nana Akufo-Addo Friday, October 6, in the Northern regional capital of Tamale when he begins his three-day tour of the region.
According to 'Get all on Deck', a group affiliated to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), there are plans by some party members led by regional chairman, Daniel Bugri Naabu, to sabotage the president's visit by paying people to 'disgrace' him with a public protest.
Mr. Naabu's action, the group explains, is because of his displeasure with President Akufo-Addo over the appointments of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCEs) in the region.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the group alleged that the regional chairman had already set his plan, which also includes protests against Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed and the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Musah Superior, in motion with the payment of GHC10,000 to them to carry out the protest.
“We wish to bring to the notice of Ghanaians and members of our party that the plans of some section of the party’s youth to stage a demonstration against His Excellency President Nana Addo, the Northern Regional Minister and the Mayor of Tamale, Mr. Musah Superior, this week before the president arrives is masterminded by chairman, Bugri Naabu.
“For the avoidance of doubt, you may have heard that, some youth group last Saturday stormed the chairman’s residence with a petition, complaining about some issues against the northern regional minister. This is one of the schemes of Chairman Bugri Naabu. He paid us GHC10,000.00 to carry out the operation this time around,” they were quoted as saying in the statement.
The statement added that, the group was bringing out the matter now because they had realised Mr Naabu “only wanted to use us for his parochial and selfish interest”.
This is the second scandal which has hit President Akufo-Addo's official visit to the region.
On Monday, Deputy Minsiter of Local Government, O.B. Amoah had to issue a counter-directive to a memo which had directed MMDAs in the region to contribute GHC5,000 each to cater for the president's visit.
The memo which was leaked online over the weekend had prompted a lot of public criticisms.
President Akufo-Addo's visit forms part of a seven-day working tour of the three northern regions which he began on Monday, October 2, 2017 in the Upper West Region.
