The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), has denied reports that President Nana Akufo-Addo’s nephew, Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, is undermining Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Chairman Wontumi and other leading figures of the NPP, including Acting General Secretary John Boadu; Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah, as well as the Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation, Kwabena Senkyire, went to the Manyhia Palace on Wednesday, 2 May 2018 to apologise to the monarch who got enraged by what he said were attempts by some people close to government to pitch him against the Akyems – the native town of President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Reports circulating on social media have linked Mr Otchere-Darko to a purported plot to undermine the Asante monarch while, at the same time, promoting the paramount chief of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Okyehene Amoatia Ofori Panin.

But Speaking on Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM on Thursday, 3 May, Chairman Wontumi said: “Gabby is not undermining the influence of the Asantehene to promote Okyehene, he won’t even do that.”

“I called him when this news came to my attention and he told me he will never do such a thing because he is aware of the influence of the Asantehene and the role Asantes have played in the NPP.

“Asante is the belly of the NPP and Gabby knows that, and, so, he won’t do such a thing. Those reports are false and should be disregarded.”