Gomoa Akyempim Paramount Chief unseated

The principal kingmakers and accredited elders of the Asona Royal Family of Gomoa Buduatta in the Central Region on Monday, September 6, 2021, performed customary rites to finally destool the Paramount Chief (Omanhene) of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, Obrifo Ahor Ahunako Ankobia II.

The destoolment of Obrifo Ahor Ahunako Ankobia II is in connection with his illegal installation of non-citizens as the chiefs in the area and many more chieftaincy charges levelled against him by the kingmakers and elders.

It is recounted that Obrifo Ahor Ahunako Ankobia II is facing destoolment charges at the Central Regional House of Chiefs in Cape Coast and has recently been interdicted by the Paramount Queen-mother (Omanhemaa) Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I and Divisional Council in a unanimous decision in a press statement copied to various state institutions and all media houses.

Widespread jubilation was witnessed in Gomoa Assin, the traditional capital of the Paramountcy, neighbouring towns and villages including Gomoa Buduatta, the private residence of the Omanhene.

In an interview with some citizens of Gomoa Assin amidst the singing, drumming, dancing, and display of culture, they stated that “Our elders have offered their sacrifices at the Akor (Royal Shrine) and have fired the gun.

They pointed out the elders have performed all other rituals signifying the Omanhene’s destoolment.

"This attests to the fact It is now official that he has been removed and we are very happy about the news as you can see. Even his [Omanhene’s] own people are here. His linguist took to his heels on the arrival of kingmakers together with various Asafo companies,” the citizens noted.

Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa declined to immediately comment on the matter but has promised to comment later.

Referencing the background behind the destoolment, the Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area in the Central Region, Obirifo Ahunuako Ahor Ankobea II was dragged to the Central Regional House of Chiefs (CRHC) amidst ten (10) scandalous destoolment charges filed against him by the Omanhemaa, Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, Kingmakers/ Elders of the Royal Asona Family, and Divisional Chiefs of the traditional council on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.

The action was sparked by the Omanhene's abysmal performance over the past 20 years, and the evidence of contempt and breach of tradition, outright fraud, mismanagement, and poor governance adduced from the petition, palace records, and incessant agitations and complaints from many communities in the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area. 

On the 8th August 2021, the Omanhemaa issued a press statement in a case of an indiscriminate disposition of 100 acres of land by the Omanhene belonging to a real estate company in Gomoa Dominase/Kwekrom for the admission of some evicted Agbobloshie Onion Sellers by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey. 

The statement emphasized that the Traditional Council was not part of the Omanhene’s decision to allocate the aforementioned land and urged the general public to disregard the widespread speculation by the Omanhene as recounted in one of his press conferences. 

It further stated that “This is a matter amongst a litany of destoolment charges against the Omanhene which is ongoing at the Central Regional House of Chiefs... but cannot be a guise for arbitrary decisions that threaten the economic outlook of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area whilst he (the Omanhene) awaits interdiction to avoid conflict of interest as seen in his recent adventures before the final hearing on his destoolment.”

Following the above statement, the Omanhene was further suspended in a unanimous decision by the Traditional Council on the 18th August 2021 to facilitate investigations against him at the CRHC as a measure to ensure that the interest of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council is served and carried out in a manner with the least likelihood of interference.

 Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater Accra Regional Correspondent