The chiefs and people of Aflao in the Volta region have expressed disapproval of the choice of the town as the venue for the celebration for this year?s June 4 commemoration.

Former President Rawlings is expected to attend the ceremony to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the June 4 uprising at Aflao next week.

But in a statement signed by Senior Divisional Chief of the Aflao Traditional area Torgbui Anubo the fourth, as well as Chairman of the Aflao Council of Elders Prof Ernest Dumor, the elders say they are uncomfortable with the choice of the town as the venue for the event.

The Spokesperson for the Aflao Council of elders, Komla S. Deku, who spoke to Joy News, explained that the traditional authorities do not want anyone to use the venue as a platform for staging a political contest because the people are very agitated over government?s failure to honour its promise of making Aflao a district.

But spokesperson to the Rawlingses, Mr Kofi Adams said the chiefs are being used by some faceless politicians.

According to him, the youth of Aflao lobbied for the celebrations to be held in the vicinity and after consultation with the paramount chief of the area ? who gave his ?blessings? – the venue was chosen.

He alleged that the statement released by the chiefs was written in Accra and emailed to the chiefs who only appended their signatures.

?When people allow themselves to be used, I feel pity for this country,? he stated.

He maintained the event will be held at the venue and that the chiefs can choose not to attend.

According to Mr Adams, the June 4 event is one that has been endorsed by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) as an important event on the party’s calendar.

He therefore wondered why the chiefs and elders of Aflao would think that holding the event there will vitiate their efforts at getting deserving development projects from a government they massively voted for in the last elections.

Click to read the full statement of the Aflao chiefs and elders.