Former president John Mahama has stated he has “profound respect” for the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Recently, his Office’s attempt to clarify an assertion by the Monarch sparked public uproar. Otumfuo had told an international gathering he persuaded Mahama to concede defeat in 2016, leading to a clarification by Mahama’s chief of staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, that his boss rather threw in the towel willingly.

On Saturday, September 21, 2019, Mahama said Mr. Debrah’s statement was not meant to “disparage Otumfuo’s efforts at promoting national peace and unity.”

“The recent statement from my office was meant to shed more light on the events surrounding the 2016 poll and not to disparage Otumfuo’s efforts at promoting national peace and unity. I therefore find the language and commentary in the ensuing public discourse very disturbing.

“Clearly Mr. Julius Debrah’s statement was intended to simply clarify that I never had the slightest intention of seeking to hang on to power unconstitutionally, as some media houses sought to infer from Otumfuo’s speech at the UN,” the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate posted on his Facebook page.

He added: “I have profound respect for Otumfuo and Asanteman and will not allow this issue to mar our long standing cordial relationship. On Otumfuo’s return home, we will take the necessary steps to bring closure to this matter. In the meantime, I urge the general public and party members not to be baited into non-constructive flogging of this issue.”

Former president Rawlings has also called on the public to ceasefire since Otumfuo’s address at the UN was “highly educative.”

Source: Daily Mail GH