There is a possibility of chieftaincy chaos in Begoro this week as the Asona royal family has cautioned the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin to desist from meddling in installation of a new chief for the traditional council.
The caution follows an official report that the Okyenhene would be installing a new chief at Begoro on Thursday, 2nd March, 2023 despite pending case with the National House of Chiefs.
At a press conference held on Monday, the Asona family accused the Okyenhene of trying to impose a candidate on them instead of following the traditions and custom of the traditional council after the death of Begorohene, Fanteakwahene and Benkumhene, Daasebre Awuah Kotoko II.
Spokesperson for the family, Mr. Daniel Darko who spoke to the media on behalf of Asona family indicated that Begoro has its own seven king makers but as of now, three of them are no more.
He stressed that the Okyenhene contrary to the tradition, however, selected three chiefs from Apuamang, Osino and Sawirako to replace the three king makers who are no more after the demise of the chief who also holds the title as Benkumhene of Akyem Abuakwa traditional council.
The Spokesperson revealed that “The seven king makers settled on one Amfo Amoamaa and sent him to the Okyenhene, without the consent of the Abakomahene of Begoro, who is the Head of the Asona Royal family in Begoro, and the Queenmother of Begoro, Obaapanyin Kyerewaa Amantia”.
“On hearing that the king makers had settled on one Amfo Amoama and presented same to Okyenhene, the Abakomahene summoned the king makers before the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Committee for redress. The Okyenhene stood on his authority to declare that the Royal family’s case was untenable and declared Amfo as duly installed chief of Begoro”.
Mr. Daniel Darko stated the Abakomahene then sent the case to the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs, which ruled in favour of the Abakomahene and his family.
The Judicial Committee ruled that “The judgement of the Judicial Committee of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council (JCAATC) dated Thursday, 25th November, 2021 in respect of the chieftaincy action action initiated by the Petitioners/Applicants against the Respondents/Respondent is hereby set aside and replaced with the findings above”.
“The appeal succeeds in this respect only, that the selection of the 9th Respondent is declared null and void. It behoves now on the king makers who, having previously interviewed and interacted with all the eligible candidates, to make a selection in accordance with custom and practice”.
He stressed that the matter was later reported to the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi on 14th December, 2022 to remove the three king makers selected by the Okyenhene after failing to heed to the judgement of the Regional House of Chiefs, awaiting judgement.
“The appeal was dated 14th December, 2022 and we are still waiting for the date of hearing, only for the Okyenhene to write to us, through his state Secretary, D.M Ofori-Atta, that on March 2, 2023, Amfo Amoamah should be installed as the new chief of Begoro” the Asona family complained.
The Asona family is therefore calling on President Akufo-Addo and the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Akuffo Dampare and the country’s security apparatus to as matter of urgency intervene in the matter to avert any chaos that may erupt from the Okyenhene’s decision to install a new chief despite going contrary to the custom and traditions of the traditional council.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
