Again; President orders a chief to stand and greet him
President Akufo-Addo expressing displeasure at a chief who was sitting while attempting to greet him
President Akufo-Addo has once again been captured directing a chief to stand before exchanging greetings with him.
A viral video from a recent funeral in the Ashanti Region captured the president instructing a chief to rise before shaking hands.
In the footage, the chief, seated initially, extended his hand to greet the president. Akufo-Addo, visibly displeased with the chief’s posture, initially extended his hand but withdrew it upon realizing the chief remained seated.
Subsequently, the president admonished the chief, who complied by standing to greet him, though Akufo-Addo appeared somewhat unsatisfied.
This incident echoes a previous occurrence in May 2024 when Akufo-Addo drew criticism for a similar action at another funeral event.
In a brief clip, the president and his security detail signaled for chiefs to stand before greeting them, sparking controversy.
The Ministry for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs defended the president’s actions, asserting that he acted within cultural norms.
In a statement released on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng affirmed that President Akufo-Addo’s request for chiefs to stand aligns with Ghanaian customs, emphasizing respect in greetings to authorities.
The statement underscored the president’s adherence to constitutional protocols granting him precedence at public gatherings.
