The Acting President of Akuapem Traditional Council Otoobuor Djan Kwasi II has strongly defended the traditional council’s decision to cancel the Odwira durbar this year.
According to Otoobuor Djan Kwasi II who is Adontenhene for Okuapeman, the decision is to avoid violent conflict in the traditional area owing to the case challenging the legitimacy of Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III at the national house of chiefs by his grandmother, the Queenmother of Okuapeman Nana Obuor Nketia.
According to the Aburihene accusations against him that he dislikes Okuapehene are untenable.
“Everyone is aware of what has happened in Okuapeman. I am not the one saying it. I don’t belong to the Asona Clan. I can’t be Okuapehene neither I am an Akyem to be Okuapehene. I am Adontenhene and Aburihene which I am content with. I don’t envy anyone but we are speaking about customs and traditions. Our chief (Okuapehene), we all love him what has happened (litigation) is not between him and Adontenhene. It is rather between him and his grandmother Okuapehemaa. It is the Okuapehemaa who nominates Okuapehene so if there is a disagreement between them; those of us around should help foster peace and unity than to accuse me of supporting a party in the case. I have said but let me emphasize that it is Queenmother who enstools a chief!! “
Aburihene continued “After the demise of Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa, all minutes of meetings attended by the Sakyebea family are with me. The name that popped up to enstooled is Odehye Kwasi Akuffo the current Okuapehene. So what again. So as acting president of Akuapem traditional council with all these records what again but it is a case that has been filed at the Regional House of Chiefs. I am not President there.
“Now the case is at National House of Chiefs which I am not President there, so we are waiting for their ruling so if the ruling affirms Okuapehene’s legitimacy I will call a traditional Council meeting and hand over all his powers to him. But now that the matter has not been ruled we have to ensure there is no conflict in Okuapeman. We the divisional chiefs don’t have any problem with the Chief (embattled Okuapehene) it is rather the Asona family. I am Aduana, I can’t be Okuapehene because I am not Asona. Now because he is not the one who presides over traditional council meetings so if you are not presiding council meetings which power will you use to celebrate the Odwira festival?
He said the decision taken by the traditional council is final
“So their press releases have indicated clearly how the Odwira should be celebrated stating that the durbar on Friday and the carrying of Chief in paraquine have been canceled so has Otoobuor’s decision been turned down or upheld? Who say man no dey …Man dey!! ” He concluded.
However, Okuapehene Ankobeahene, Nana Yaw Sakyi has debunked speculations that the 2022 Odwira festival has been canceled.
He told Bryt FM that, the celebration of the Odwira festival is inevitable therefore it cannot be canceled or banned however can be adjusted during the pandemic, litigation among others.
He, therefore, emphasized that the 2022 Odwira festival is coming off as planned contrary to misinformation in the media
“I have not heard this strange statement before that Odwira has been canceled. Odwira cannot be canceled because it is part of our tradition and custom. It can be adjusted to suit situations like a pandemic when a chief is dead or there is litigation on that note somethings like durbar or carrying chiefs may not be done. Odwira is not only for the chiefs every stool that celebrates Odwira observes it. Odwira is a significant festival” the Okyenhene Ankobeahene said.
Okuapeman bans noise-making ahead of Odwira festival
Meanwhile, Okuapeman traditional Council has banned noise-making in preparation for Odwira Festival.
The traditional rite (Adaebutuw) was performed by the Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III with his sub-chiefs at the palace on Wednesday evening of August 3, 2022.
“Adaebutuw” is observance is a period of retreat from the stool house and the stools. All forms of noise-making activities are banned the drums are not beaten, dirges are not sung, burials and funerals are not held and mourning is also banned. Fun-making activities of all sorts are also banned. In short, it is a period of showing reverence to the gods and sacred stools by keeping noise levels to the barest minimum.
The period of Adaebutuw is observed from the eighth Awukudae counted six weeks (adaduanan) before celebrating Odwira.
Persons who flout the ban on noise-making are summoned and fined to slaughter sheep to pacify the gods.
During this period, the people also prepare for the celebration of Odwira during the period.
The Odwira festival will be celebrated from 12th September to 18th September 2022 right after the ban on noise making is lifted.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
