Kwahu Nkwatiahene, Nana Boamah Ayiripe III, together with his elders has appeared before Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, to swear an oath of allegiance and affirm legitimacy as the chief of Kwahu Nkwatia in Kwahu East District of the Eastern region.
The submission by Nana Boamah Ayiripe III who doubles as Sanaahene of Kwahu Traditional Council was to end the chieftaincy dispute and create harmonious living in the area.
It became imperative and obligatory for the elders of Kwahu-Nkwatia to choose a royal to ascend the Nkwatia throne after the death of late Nana Atuobi Yiadom IV in 2016, who resigned for 60 years.
With tradition and custom, two respected individuals including Samuel Boamah Danso, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KOFSAM Pharmacy, and Nana Yaw Asante were nominated and selected for the respected Kwahu-Nkwatia stool.
Samuel Boamah Danso was later nominated and installed as chief of Nkwatia in October 2020 with the stool name Nana Boamah Ayiripe III by the then queen mother Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II, Krontihene of Nkwatia, Nana Odei Tutu Ababio and a section of elders and kingmakers.
Unfortunately, Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II who initially played a key role in the installation of Nana Boamah in the company of nine (9) others changed their decision and later challenged the legitimacy of Nana Boamah.
The queen mother Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II and her cohorts dragged Nana Boamah and elders to the Judicial Committee of the Kwahu Traditional Council.
The Judicial Committee ruled against the the applicants namely Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II and the nine others.
Not satisfied with the ruling of the Judicial Committee, Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II and the nine others proceeded to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to seek redress of the judgment.
The ruling went in favor of Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II and the nine others at the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, a situation that compelled Nana Boamah Ayiripe III, and his elders to also proceed to the National House of Chiefs for an appeal.
A five-member committee chaired by Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV was constituted by the National House of Chiefs to bring final determination of the matter unanimously pronounced judgment in favor of the applicants’ Nana Boamah Ayiripe III and elders including Nana Kissi Tuasakyi, Nana Osei Antwi Boasiako II, Nana Birifa Dankwah II, Nana Birwah Kyerewaa and Nana Sarfo Kantanka II.
Other members of the committee were Osagyefo Kwame Akounu X, Togbega Patamia Dzekley VII, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II were members of the panel
The eleven respondents were Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II, Nana Agyekum Benefo II, Nana Akuamoah Dwamena II, Nana Obuor Gyan II, Nana Kissi Boadum II, Nana Kwasi Mireku Nyampong II, Nana Kofi Opoku Danso II, Nana Baa Oware II, and Nana Yaw Asante.
On Friday 24th November 2023, the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs unanimously pronounced the applicants namely Nana Boamah Ayiripe III, and his elders as rightful occupants of the Nkwatia throne.
On Saturday 6th January 2024 popularly known as “Memenda Dapaa” in the Akans calendar, Nana Boamah Ayiripe III, together with his elders appeared before Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, to swear the oath of allegiance and office to affirm his legitimacy as the chief of Kwahu Nkwatia.
On Sunday, January 7, 2024, which was Akwasidae Nana Boamah Ayiripe III, and his elders organized an interdenominational thanks-giving church service at Nkwatia in the Kwahu East district to give thanks to the Almighty God for his guidance and protection.
Nana Boamah Ayiripe III called for unity among the people in the area and also pleaded to his contenders to come on board to help bring development.
The Nkawkaw Area Head for the Church of Pentecost, Foster K. Aniakwaa who was the guest speaker for the occasion on his part urged the people to make development of Nkwatia their priority.
Foster K. Aniakwaa used the occasion to advise politicians to desist from vote buying during election periods.
Residents in the district expressed their heartfelt gratitude after the swearing-in ceremony.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Solomon Nartey
