Chiefs and elders of Winneba have given the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo a two-day ultimatum to retract his “Simpa Panin” comment, or else bear their brunt as they’ll vote against him come December 7 election.
According to Neeyi otubua sripi II, the Tufohene of Effutu, Nana Akufo Addo’s comment was unfortunate and condemnable as they consider the description of someone’s conduct as that of a “Simpa panin” which is a term commonly used to refer to an elderly person who sits unconcerned for wrongs to be committed, as a grave insult to them.
The coastal town of Winneba is originally known as Simpa.
The three-time Flagbearer of the largest opposition party, recently berated President John Mahama for failing to reprimand some ministers he described as violent.
Nana Akufo-Addo said the President had acted unconcerned while NPP members are being violently attacked by officials of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) across the country.
Addressing party supporters recently at Hwidiem in the Asutifi South Constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region as part of his regional campaign, Nana Akufo-Addo describing Mahama as a “Simpa Panin” said “He [President Mahama] doesn’t care because he [Mahama] doesn’t have the strength of character to reprimand them and tell them to stop what they are doing,” he said.
His comments came on the back of attacks on some NPP supporters who were allegedly manhandled by some members of the NDC led by the Sports Minister, Nii Lantei Vanderpuiye at Odododiodoo Constituency in the Greater Accra Region Wednesday.
There were reports that the Local Government Minister, Collins Dauda had been taunting followers of the NPP parliamentary candidate in Asutifi South in the Brong Ahafo Region.
But Neeyi otubua sripi II, hasn’t taken lightly to the “Simpa Panin” comment and wants Nana Akufo-Addo to do the honourable thing of apologising.
“Nana erred, we see his comment as an insult and one which is meant to disgrace us. We want him to acknowledge that he’s offended us and that he should come and apologise. Just as in the case of Tuobodom, when one realizes that he’s offended a town, that person goes and renders an unqualified apology and then it settles the matter.”
He added: “Nana’s comment was played on air to the hearing of many people. Whether he said it a long time ago or not, is irrelevant. He’s insult a group of people called Effutu’s as Simpa Panin. So when your attention is drawn to it, you come back and see to make amends and render apology when necessary, then the matter closes. The public should stop making such comment. It should be a dead thing, never to be resurrected.”
