Five (5) divisional chiefs in the Akuapem Traditional Area (ATA) have finally agreed to swear allegiance to the newly enstooled paramount chief of the area, Nana Kwadwo Kese, 34, on Sunday at 3pm (yesterday).
The five divisional chiefs are Osahene Ofei Kwasi Agyeman, the Krontihene of Akropong and The Acting President of the Akuapem Traditional Council, Nana Otoobour Djan Kwasi, the chief of Aburi and the Akuapem Adontenhene.
The rest are; Nenye Asiedu Okor Ababio, chief of Larteh and the Akuapem Benkumhene, Osabarima Opese Konadu, chief of Awukugua and the Acting Akuapem Nifahene and Nana Osim Kwatia, chief of Amanokrom and the Akuapem Gyaasehene.
Per tradition and culture of the area, the paramount chief-elect would have to swear to the Krontihene and all five divisional chiefs will also swear an oath of allegiance to him before outdooring.
But three (3) out of the five, namely Nana Otoobour Djan Kwasi, the chief of Aburi and the Akuapem Adontenhene, Nenye Asiedu Okor Ababio, chief of Larteh and the Akuapem Benkumhene and Osabarima Opese Konadu, chief of Awukugua and the Acting Akuapem Nifahene, earlier threatened to boycott the ceremony, which was expected to take place yesterday.
According to the three chiefs, the ceremony is an affront to the directives given by President Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo to Ghanaians to observe social distancing protocol as means to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
They are much concerned about the pandemic following the fact that, the Akuapem North Municipality has recorded three confirmed cases of Coronavirus – two in Akropong, one case at Amanokrom – all three cases were imported.
They further argued that, the Eastern Regional House of Chief upheld that selection of a legible royal to be enstooled as Paramount Chief is the prerogative of the Abrewatia of the ruling family whose turn it is to select a candidate and submit the name of the chosen royal to Asonahene to be sent to the Queen-mother and not the enstoolment of a new chief.
But after persuasion and alleged intervention from the presidency, the three chiefs have finally agreed to join the rest of the chiefs to perform the swearing-in ceremony at the palace to enable the outdooring of the newly enstooled chief.
As part of measures to adhere to the social distance protocol, the swearing-in by the chiefs would be done in batches.
On Thursday, April 30, 2020, the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs upheld that selection of a royal to be enstooled as Paramount Chief is the prerogative of the Abrewatia of the ruling family whose turn it is to select a candidate and submit the name of the chosen royal to Asonahene to be sent to the Queen-mother.
Nana Kwadwo Kese was swiftly enstooled as the new Okuapemhene shortly after the judgment was delivered amidst tight security of armed Police and Military Personnel at the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and Akropong Township.
The enstoolment of Nana Kwadwo Kese, 34, as the new Okuapemhene follows the nullification of the enstoolment process of Odehye Kwasi Akufo by the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of chiefs.
The Abrewatia of Sakyeabea Royal Family and eighth of the eleven Kingmakers presented the Paramount Chief elect to the Asonahene, the Krontihene, Osahene Ofei Kwasi Agyemang and Baamuhene, Nana Kwame Asare Bampoe to perform the necessary traditional rites and slaughtering of sheep on the feet of Nana Kwadwo Kese signifying their endorsement.
He was then paraded three times to and from the north and south of Akropong Township, as tradition demands.
The Ofori Kuma stool has been vacant for almost five years after the demise of Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah III, Okuapemanhene, due to dispute among the Sakyeabea Royal family over who is the rightful candidate to ascend the Ofori Kuma stool to succeed the late Oseadeyo Addo Dankwah III, who reigned for 41 years.
The Okuapeman stool has three ruling houses – Nketia, Amogyaa and Sakyibea. Currently, it is the turn of the Sakyeabea ruling house to select a candidate to be installed as Okuapemhene
In 2017, while Odehye Kwasi Akufo was installed by the Paramount Queen-mother, Nana Afua Nketia Obuo III, as the successor to the late Okuapemhene Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, the Abrewatia of Sakyeabea Royal family also nominated Nana Kwadwo Kese as Paramount Chief.
This chieftaincy dispute led to several clashes and destruction of properties in Akropong. The Palace was closed down and taken over by the security.
Lilian Nana Agyemang, who is the Abrewatia of the Sakyeabea Royal family, petitioned the Regional House of Chiefs challenging the traditional capacity of the Paramount Queen-mother in selecting and installing Odehye Kwasi Akufo as Okupemhene.
The House also stated that the Queen-mother alone cannot select a candidate from the Royal Family without the involvement of the Abrewatia. According to the judgment the involvement of the Abrewatia is a time tested custom, which does not take away the powers of the Queen-mother in presenting the candidate to the Kingmakers for final enstoolment.
They, therefore, declared that the installment of Odehye Kwasi Akufo is null and void with no traditional effect, hence should not parade himself as Paramount Chief
The house directed that the due traditional processes must hence be followed in enstooling a successor.
The Regional House of Chiefs awarded GHc25,000 cost against the Queen-mother.
The post Akuapem chiefs make U-turn on new omanhene appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS