The Queenmother of the Akuapem Traditional Area (ATA) in the Eastern Region, Nana Nketia Obuo, and the Asonahene of Akropong-Akuapem, Nana Kwasi Ohenkum II, were conspicuously missing at the short but colourful coronation of Odehye Kwadwo Kesse, the new Paramount Chief of the area.
Pieces of information gathered by The Chronicle indicate that the two powerful individuals who control the traditions and culture of the Akuapems decided to stay away from the ceremony because they are still not happy with the ruling of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
According to the Queenmother, who is also recognized as the Stool Mother: “The ruling stated that I should respect the role of the “Abrewatia” of the Sakyeabea Royal Family, since she is the rightful person to select the candidate and present the candidate to me and [the] Asonahene of Akropong for discussions.”
This, however, was not done, not forgetting the circumstances that led to the ruling of the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs. The Asonahene of Akropong- Akuapem, Nana Kwasi Ohenkum II, confirming the decision to boycott the coronation in a telephone interview, stated that the inputs of the Queenmother and his office are very key in the enstoolment of any chief in the area.
He expressed grave concern over what he described as a ‘demonstration of disrespect’ for him and the Queenmother, hence, the decision to stay away from what they considered as an illegal event.
To him, as far as tradition and culture are concerned, they (Queenmother and Asonahene) do not recognise Odehye Kwadwo Kesse, 34, who is now called by the stool name Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo II, and is the ninth Chief to ascend the Oforikuma Stool.
Nana Kwasi Ohenkum II continued that after consultations with their lawyer, Mr. Ansah Asare, the duo would make things known to the whole world.
A new Paramount Chief for Okuapeman was colorfully outdoored and sworn-in at a private traditional ceremony held in the Chief’s Palace at Akropong on Sunday May 3, 2020.
Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo II is arguably the youngest Paramount Chief in Ghana now.
The 34-year-old Okuapehene holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the West Chester Community College, Val Halla, New York, after completing his secondary school education at the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School, Legon, in Accra.
He swore the oath of coronation to the Krontihene, Osaahene Ofei Kwasi Agyeman.
All five Divisional Chiefs of Okuapeman also swore the oath of allegiance to the new Okuapehene, including the Lartehhene and Benkumhene of Akuapem, Osabarima Enyine Asiedu Okoo Ababio III, Aburihene, and the Adontenhene of Akuapem, Otobuor Djan Kwasi; the Krontihene of Akuapem, Osahene Ofei Kwasi Agyeman; the Adukromhene and Nifahene of Akuapem, represented by the Awukuguahene and Acting Nifahene, Nana Opese Konadu, and the Amanokromhene and Gyaasehene of Akuapem, Nana Osim Kwatia
Background
The traditional processes for enstoolment of the new Okuapehene started on Friday, May 1, 2020 amid tight security, following the nullification of the nomination and enstoolment processes of Odehye Kwasi Akuffo by the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs on Thursday, April 30, 2020.
The Oforikuma Stool became vacant for almost five years after the demise of Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah III, the late Okuapehene, due to disputes among members of the Sakyeabea Royal Family over who is the right candidate to succeed the late Paramount Chief who reigned for 41 years.
The 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 Okuapehene, which has been done.
However, in 2017, while Odehye Kwasi Akuffo was nominated by the Paramount Queenmother, Nana Afua Nketia Obuo, and began processes to install him as successor to the late Okuapehene, the Abrewatia of Sakyeabea Royal Family also nominated Odehye Kwadwo Kesse for the same stool.
This chieftaincy dispute led to several clashes and destruction of properties in Akropong.
The Palace was closed down and taken over by security operatives.
Lilian Nana Agyemang, who is the Abrewatia of the Sakyeabea Royal Family, petitioned the Regional House Chiefs challenging the traditional capacity of the Paramount Queenmother in nominating and installing Odehye Kwasi Akuffo to ascend the stool.
Delivering the landmark judgement on Thursday, April 30, 2020, the Eastern Regional House of Chief upheld that the selection of a rightful 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 the Asonahene to be sent to the Queenmother.
The House upheld that the Queenmother failed to provide evidence that the right traditional procedures were followed before the initiating processes to install Odehye Kwasi Akuffo as Okuapemhene.
The House also stated that the Queenmother alone cannot select a candidate from the Royal Family without the involvement of the Abrewatia, adding that the involvement of the Abrewatia is an age-long custom, which does not take away the powers of the Queenmother in presenting the candidate for final enstoolment.
The House, therefore, declared that the nomination and processes to install Odehye Kwasi Akuffo are null and void with no traditional effect, hence, he should not parade himself as Okuapehene.
The House directed that due traditional processes must be followed in enstooling a successor.
The Regional House of Chiefs awarded GH¢25,000 cost against the Queenmother.
The post Okuapemhemaa snubs Okuapehene’s coronation appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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