Akyem Abuakwa State has stated without shred of doubt that Adoagyiri belongs to Akyem Abuakwa and will continue to remain so.
The statement follows recent rising tension between Akyem Abuakwa state and Akyem Kotoku State over claim of ownership of Adoagyiri, and subsequent injunction placed by the Ghana Police Service on a planned celebration of Odwira Festival by Okoanadwo Afutu Dompreh II who claim to be Chief of Adoagyiri ,and acting on behalf of Kotoku traditional council.
More importantly, three persons – Obrempong Gyamfi Saforo, Obrempong Sintim Poku and Nana Kwasi Tweretwie purported to represent the Kotoku council wrote a letter demanding Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin to desist from interference in the chieftaincy matters in Adoagyiri since it is not under his traditional jurisdiction.
On Monday March 13,2023, Ofori Panin Fie held a press conference addressed by the State Secretary, Dan M. Ofori Atta supported by sub-chiefs in the traditional area.
Ofori Panin Fie explained that, Adoagyiri is the boarder town and entry into the Akyem Abuakwa Kingdom from Accra which is indicated by the Nsawam bridge across the Densu river as the entrance of the Akyem Abuakwa Kingdom.
The people of Adoagyiri have served Okyenhene for decades that, the longest served chief in Akyem Abuakwa Barima Adu Kokor ,late Adoagyiri chief enstooled in 1953 and passed on in 2007 served the Ofori Panin Stool.
Ofori Panin Fie stated further that Kotoku citizens just as other ethnic communities are settlers , granted usufructuary right and have no allodial right to any land.According to Ofori Panin Fie, there are no records that establishes that Adoagyiri is and has ever been part of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area.
The Ofori Panin Fie said ,this is not the first time Akyem Kotoku State has attempted to lay dubious claim to Akyem Abuakwa lands.
A brief historical account was given that Kotoku was originally rehabilitated at Gyadam near Osino in 1824.It was later relocated to Western Akyem in 1863 after the Gyadam war.
The land on which the capital of Kotoku State,Nsuaem, subsequently named Akyem Oda was granted rent- free to them by Akyem Abuakwa. Ofori Panin Fie stated that just as the Colonial administration dismissed the petition by Akyem Kotoku in 1902 to incorporate some Akyem Abuakwa towns is the the same grounds that Adoagyiri cannot be claimed by any settler community whether Ga, Ewe, Krobo or Kotoku.
Ofori Panin Fie stated emphatically that very soon the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council as part of exercising it customary duty, will install a Chief in Adoagyiri, therefore, notice will be served when the time is due stating that there will be consequences to anyone or group that attempts to stop the process illegally.
Daasebre Ayebeahwe, Etweresohene/Adauhene cautioned that Akyem Abuakwa will not low anyone to annex any part of Akyem land.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
