The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah says there were never attempts from him or Lands Minister, Samuel Jinapor to gag the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II from naming and shaming government officials involved in galamsey.
Speaking on Asempa FM, he said the alleged attempt to gag Otumfuo was only a suggestion which was to ensure the programme was not overly lengthy due to non-adherence to schedule.
“We went to Otumfuo, we were having a conversation and we suggested that we wanted a brief ceremony, we had to spend not more than an hour and a half for the opening and so the addresses had to be short. It was in a conversation and you have to note that Otumfuo’s speech was prepared by Manhyia itself. It was neither the Regional Minister nor the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources that prepared it,” he said.
“As an Ashanti, can I go and gag the Otumfuo, that would be me looking for trouble. He is somebody I respect a lot and so it was just a passing comment which we all had a good laugh about.”
Source: GhanaFeed.com
