‘Pillar of Peace’ Otumfuo intervened for declaration of 2016 presidential election results – COP Kofi Boakye

Retired Commissioner of Police (COP) Nathan Kofi Boakye has disclosed that it took the intervention of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the then Chairperson of Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei to declare the results of the 2016 presidential election.

He said he was privy to the consultations and discussions that went on at the Manhyia Palace when it became difficult for the EC to announce the results of the election. “The kind of discussions that went on at the Manhyia Palace before the announcement, it is not everything that I can disclose, ”COP Kofi Boakye who was the Ashanti Regional Police commander at the time, told Opemsuo Radio, owned by the Manhyia Palace.

Results
Opposition leader at the time and now President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who was the candidate of the NPP, won the election, defeating the incumbent President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC by 53.8 percent to 44.4 percent.

Tension started rising when the EC delayed in announcing the results. At a point the Commission issued a statement saying it was yet to release certified results as it had noticed several instances of over voting at a number of polling stations. As tension rose, the NPP called a news conference demanding the immediate declaration of the results.

Difficult period
Speaking on the Silver Jubilee of the King, COP Kofi Boakye made mention of his peace initiatives, saying but for the intervention of Otumfuo, nobody knew what would have happened after the 2016 polls. “With uncertainty hanging, Otumfuo stepped in for the then Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte to declare the results, “he disclosed.

Peace
He indicated that the Asantehene stands for peace. “When we talk about someone with power, it is all about Otumfuo. Whether NDC or NPP, whoever will win an election is not his interest. All that he wants is peace, ”the retired police commissioner stated. He added: “So Ghanaians should hold Otumfuo firmly, give him all the respect and pray for God to give him long life to do more for the nation.“

Pillar of peace
In 2020, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II received the prestigious ‘Pillar of Peace’ award of the Africa Premier Leadership Awards (APLA). The award was to recognise him for his peaceful and transformational 20-year reign on the Golden Stool. And in 2021, the Bank of Ghana gave the E ON 3 Group the authorisation for the minting of the gold coins to honour His Majesty’s successful reign since his ascension to the Golden Stool, particularly for his peace initiatives including how he successfully led the Dagbon peace process. The 24-karat Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin was launched at a ceremony in Kumasi.