Former President John Dramani Mahama has finally broken his silence on the fiasco surrounding a statement by his former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah on recent pronouncements by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) clarified the statement by Mr Debrah indicating that it was not to undermine the authority of the revered monarch.

In a statement, Mr Mahama said the statement was to clarify issues and not to “disparage Otumfuo’s efforts at promoting national peace and unity.”

The former President said in a statement said: “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,”

He condemned the seeming wrong impression being created by a section of the public following Mr. Debrah’s statement.

“I therefore find the language and commentary in the ensuing public discourse very disturbing.”

Mahama said he holds Otumfuo in high esteem and will not allow this issue to mar their 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,” he advised.
Below is Mahama’s full statement:

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.

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.