‘Simpa panyin’ comments: Effutu Adontenhene apologise to Nana Addo

• Posted on November 24, 2016
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Adontenhene of Effutu Traditional has rendered an unqualified apology to the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo over his ‘Simpa Panyin’ comments deemed derogatory by some chiefs in the area.

According to Neenyi Gyetey Gyankuma II, the action taken by some chiefs is a calculated attempt to tarnish the hard won reputation of the NPP leader.

“Nana Addo will never disrespect the people of Effutu; all they said are all lies” the Adontenhene stressed.

Nana Akufo-Addo, addressing party supporters recently at Hwidiem in the Asutifi South constituency of the Brong Ahafo region as part of his regional campaign, described the president as a “Simpa Panyin” for failing to reprimand Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye for inciting NDC supporters to attack NPP members.

The expression is widely used in the Akan language to describe an elderly person who looks on unconcerned while the wrong things are done.

But some chiefs from the coastal town Winneba which was originally known as Simpa believe the expression is an insult to them.

At a news conference on Tuesday 22 November, Tufuhene of Efutu, Neenyi Otubua Siripi II, described Nana Akufo-Addo’s comment as unfortunate and condemnable, and asked him to retract and apologise.

But in a counter press conference Thursday, the Adontenhene of Effutu condemned the conduct of his colleagues in no uncertain terms.

He maintained that, the Tufuhene perpetrated falsehood because the term Simpa Panyin is not an insult to indigenes in Winneba.

However, “it has since come to the attention of Nananom that the alleged tape upon which we made our earlier demands is of dubious quality and cannot be verified”, the traditional body said, adding: “Upon further scrutiny, we have realised that Nana Akufo-Addo has never said anything derogatory about the people of Winneba”.

“Nana Addo will never disrespect the people of Effutu; all they said are all lies” the Adontenhene stressed.

Neenyi Otubua Siripi II urged all chiefs not to allow themselves to be used by political seeking political power but rather work to unite Simpa.

Meanwhile, the MP for Efuttu constituency, Alex Afenyo Markin has commended the chiefs for exposing the lies of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“I must say that on behalf of the NPP, I really want to commend the chiefs for the bold steps they have taken to apologise to our leader. We now know that the NDC are behind that act and that shows that you cannot buy their conscience” he said.

– adomonline