Okuapem  Kingmakers  Bare Teeth At Sub- Chiefs In Akropong

Kingmakers of the Okuapem Traditional Area in the Eastern Region have slammed a group of disgruntled sub chiefs of Akropong for popping nose into the processes that led to the installation of the Paramount Chief of the Okuapem Traditional area.

Addressing a press conference, the 

spokesperson on behalf of the Okuapem Kingmakers,the Mawerehene of the area, Nana Aggrey Egyir, stated the supposed disgruntled sub chiefs from Akropong led by the Frankaahene does not have any locus in Okuapem kingship.

In this sense, the kingmakers asserted that the statement contained in the press conference held by the pro-group of the sub-chiefs of Akropong on Tuesday August 30, 2022 are of no merit and substance.

The kingmakers pointed out that the one on whose behalf they held the press conference (Odehye Kwasi Akuffo) has been banned from ever contesting any kingship by the Regional house of Chiefs.

These come after the Frankaahene of the traditional area, Nana Kwaw Kuturuku (V) in a press conference recounted events which has brought the Okuapeman Chieftaincy issues to this unfortunate situation. 

He pointed out that it is not been the government's interference which truncated a peaceful and legitimate process of installing Okuapemhene, Okuapeman wouldn't have been in this current situation of confused and lawlessness".

He added that, the influx of security personnel in and around the Okuapeman palace to protect one person at the expense of the taxpayers is worrisome.

For his part, the Okuapem Mawerehene, Nana Aggrey Egyir has expressed that the Queen mother in consultation with the Abrewatia of the royal family gate who are supposed to provide the next Omanhene will present a name, the Queenmother present him to the king makers for approval.

"Then from there the divisional chiefs will also vote on the Aberewatia's candidate then the Gyasehene will present him to the people for him to swear an orth to his people," he added.

And that Oseadeyo Kwasi Akuffo III born (Odehye Kwadwo Kesse Antwi) has gone through all the necessary processes and that he does not fathom the disgruntled sub chiefs led by the Frankaahene and his allies are making the noise.

About five years ago, a chieftaincy dispute broke out in Akuapem following a misunderstanding between factions in the Sakyiabea Royal Gate whose turn, it is to produce the next Okuapehene.

The Queen of Akuapem, Nana Afua Obuo Nketiaa II had by herself selected one Odehye Kwasi Akuffo and installed him as chief.

At the same time one Lily Nana Agyeman, Abrewatia of Sakyiabea Royal Gate had nominated Odehye Kwadwo Kesse to be heir to the throne to succeed the late Oseeadeyo Addo Dankwa III who passed on in 2015.

Unsatisfied about events, the Abrewatia petitioned the Eastern Regional House Chiefs challenging the traditional capacity of the Paramount Queen in nominating and installing a Paramount Chief.

The Judicial Committee in its judgement annulled the Queen’s choice as the legitimate Chief.

The Committee clarified that it is the traditional mandate of the Abrewatia to select a candidate and submit his name to Asonahene for onward delivery to the Queen.

The judgement was delivered amidst heavy security presence both at the Regional House of Chiefs in Koforidua and at Akropong-Akuapem. There have been reports of previous uprisings over the issue.

The elders,king makers and the divisional chiefs  of Okuapeman are currently waiting for the ruling of the national house of chiefs to bring finality to the issue.