Sunyani chief promises 80% more votes for Mahaama

A chief in Sunyani is promising 80 percent of votes for the governing National Democratic Congress in the 2016 elections.

Nana Bosoma said the president, John Mahama does not need to worry about support for his presidential bid in his region because they are solidly behind him.

He made the comment when the president paid a courtesy call on him in the region, Tuesday.

Nana Bosoma does not understand why other regions are promising 50 per cent more votes for the NDC.

He said given what the government has done his region will give far more than 50 per cent of votes and is targeting between 70 to 80 per cent of votes.

His comments come as a surprise to many given the fact that chiefs are barred from engaging in partisan politics or to be seen to be promoting one party ahead of another.

Article 276 of the 1992 Constitution says a chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.

Political pundits are worried such pronouncements from such influential persons in the society may unfairly tilt the results in favour of one candidate.

Contributing to the debate on Joy News the Senior Lecturer at the Sociology Department of the University of Ghana Dr. Abdul Rahman Anamzoya condemned the comment by the chief.

Whilst admitting it is not possible for a chief’s statement to have an effect on all the residents, he said chiefs are political animals and must be careful what they say.