Veteran Ghanaian broadcaster King Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, popularly known as KKD, has expressed concern that the office of the presidency has lost the respect it once commanded.

Speaking on 3FM on August 8, 2024, KKD criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for ordering a chief to stand before greeting him during a public event. He remarked, “Truth is the ultimate power. If I make you my president for four years, you are not my chief for life. Why go to the place of a chief and ask him to rise to salute you? Only arrogant people do that.”

KKD continued by pointing out that when a chief visits the State House, the president typically remains seated while the chief greets him. “But if you have wisdom, you will rise to greet him,” he added. When the host mentioned the president’s royal lineage, KKD responded, “I don’t know about his royalty, but if he is a royal, he should have been called to order.”

He further questioned whether past presidents, such as John Agyekum Kufuor, John Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, or even military leaders like I.K. Acheampong and F.W.K. Akufo, ever commanded a chief to rise and greet them.

“Our presidency has fallen to its lowest level of dignity. People view this presidency with total disregard. There is a serious lack of dignity surrounding the office of the presidency,” KKD lamented.

The incident in question, captured in a viral video from a June 2024 funeral, showed President Akufo-Addo instructing a traditional ruler to stand before exchanging pleasantries.