Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area: Nana Obirifo Ahunuako Ahor Ankobea faces chieftaincy destoolment situation

There is a serious chieftaincy clash looming in the hundred and fifty-two (152) communities under the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area in the Central Region which needs swift intervention by national security to avert the possible clash.

The possible clash, Soireenews understands has followed the ten (10)  destoolment charges preferred against the Paramount Chief of the area, Obirifo Ahunuako Ahor Ankobea II by the majority of the divisional chiefs with the support of Kingmakers and elders from the 152 recognized communities in the traditional area.

Information gathered by this news outlet from the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area and its surrounding communities has it that a total of about eight two (82) out of one hundred of fifty-two divisional chiefs including kingmakers and elders are bracing up against their Paramount Chief and some self-seeking elders who are believed to be aiding Obirifo Ahunuako Ahor Ankobea in violating the traditions, norms and customs of the Gomoa Akyempim land.

According to information, the violation of the traditions, norms and customs on the Gomoa Akyempim land by Obirifo Ahunuako Ahor Ankobea has landed him into the chieftaincy destoolment situation, which hitherto was currently breeding trouble, confusion and tension in the area.

At a crowded press conference on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, held at Apam in the Central Region which was addressed by the Gomoa Akyempim Omanhemaa Obaatampa Nana Ama Edua l, the majority of the chiefs from the 152 recognized communities which have constituted the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, the Ohagufo and the divisional chiefs said they had ratified the decision by the petitioners to dispense with the chieftaincy services of the Obirifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II and advised that measures be put in place with immediate effect, to destool and replace him."

"This development was as a result of a resolution of vote of no confidence passed on him by his Apakanhenfo, Ohagufo, Queen Mother and the Divisional Chiefs of the Traditional Council at Apam," the paramount queen-mother noted in the press conference which was attended by loads of divisional chiefs of the area who are in support of destoolment of the Paramount Chief of the area, Obirifo Ahunuako Ahor Ankobea II. 

According to the Paramount Queen-mother,  similar charges preferred against Kusae Adu XV has been committed by Obrirfo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II.

Obaatampa Nana Ama Edua l stated that a destoolment petition was addressed to Obotantam Effrim X Akwamuhene, Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, and Nana Kwadofrakye V, Mankrado ofGomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, and all Divisional Chiefs of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, copied to Obirifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, Ebusuapanyin Kojo Essel, the Registrar, Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, and the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, was formally tabled for review and discussion by the Akwamuhene on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. 

According to the queen-mother, ten (10) chieftaincy charges were preferred against the Omanhene by the chiefs and the petitioners. 

She pointed out that the allegations hinge on contempt and breach of tradition, outright fraud and extortion of monies from his subject, indiscriminately conferring of chieftaincy titles on non-persons in the area mismanagement of the funds and poor governance. 

She was of the view that the  Omanhene failed to honour the invitation, adding that "Instead he delivered letters through two (2) separate lawyers, one on the night before the meeting, and the other in the morning at about 11:00 am. 

She asserted that when the meeting was in session, to inform the meeting that instead of meeting the Divisional Chiefs he would rather meet the petitioners at the Regional House of Chiefs. 

She pointed out that the petitioners avered that they are Ebusuampanyinfo of the Royal Asona Family to the Ahunako Black Stool of Gomoa Buduatta and elsewhere.

Obaatampa Nana Ama Edua l contented that they had resolved with effect from 24th  April 2021, to dispense off the services of Obirifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, the Omanhen of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, who was nominated and selected by them from their Royal Family to the Ohagufo and Apakanhenfo to be installed and was installed as the Omanhen of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area in 2001.

She indicated that based on the grievances outlined above, the petitioners entreated the Ohagufo and Apakanhenfo to promptly initiate a process to ratify their decision to destool the Omanhen and dispense off his services to redeem the reputation of Gomoa Akyempim and save it from further embarrassment, down sliding and shame. 

She stated that after a careful review of the petition, and an unsuccessful effort to get the Omanhen to meet to dialogue with the petitioners, it has been concluded that all three parties, the Omanhen, the Ohagufo and Divisional Chiefs, and the petitioners have reached a stalemate.

She indicated that the position of Omanhen of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area shall not be left vacant nor be held in abeyance or indefinite suspense.

When contacted by Soireenews to get his side of the story, Obirifo Ahunuako Ahor Ankobea II described it as illegal for the public announcement by the chiefs led by the queen mother to destool him since they didn't have traditional power to do so.

He punched holes into the charges preferred against him and described them as bogus and misleading, saying there is no iota of truth in the charges.

He denied extorting monies from the subject and other individuals and organisations and called on the general public, particularly the people in the Gomoa and Akyempim Traditional Area and its adjoining communities to disregard these allegations levelled against him.

According to the Paramount Chief who doubles as a member of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, the allegations were a sinister plot to soil his reputation and make him look bad in the eye of Ghanaians.

He stressed he still the Paramount Chief of Akyempim Traditional Area and that nobody has destooled him as being peddled in the public by Ohemaa Obaatampa Nana Ama Edua l and her followers.

 Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu