The family head of the Asona Royal family of Begoro in the Fanteakwa North district of the Eastern Region Nana Yaw Asante has strongly warned the overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin to stop interfering in the nomination, selection, and enstoolment of chief for the people of Begoro.
According to the family head, Okyehene by principles of custom, tradition and law has not gotten the latitude to appoint any person not even within the royal clan let alone outside the royal gate to Begoro stool.
He explained that by custom and tradition, the queen mother in consultation with the kingmakers has the prerogative to nominate and select a candidate who is from the royal gate and duly fit to be a chief.
Nana Asante continued that when the candidate crossed and fulfilled all the customary rites, the candidate would then be enstooled and later presented and swear the oath of office to the overlord.
But the situation took a different dimension when on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, when the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin in the exercise of his customary prerogatives appointed Daasebre Kwabi Ofosu Ayebiahwe as the Regent of Begoro.
Daasebre Kwabi Ofosu Ayebiahwe Odaumanhene is to take over from Osaberima Bosompem Ayiripe ll, the Sawirakohene, and assume full customary responsibilities of Begoro township including carrying out all functions incidental to the function of the office of the Benkumhene.
It’s only Antwi Kwasi’s house in the Asona Royal Family that ascends the Begoro stool.
To this, the Asona royal family head expressed his grave concern over an incident that occurred on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, following the invasion of armed police officers and appointment of a regent in Begoro by the overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council.
Nana yaw Asante the family head has described the development and position of Okyehene as unfortunate and total disrespect to custom and tradition after the queen mother and kingmakers have duly gone through the necessary customary rites to enstool Daasebre Antwi-Awuah IV as the chief for Begoro.
According to him “there is currently a new chief so what is the need for a regent? Is it just to cause trouble while thy Okyehene enjoys his peace with his subjects in Kibi. Is this a sign of good leadership?
“Begoro township is not a colony. No Abbot sitting somewhere can superimpose a beloved mate on Begoro. This is the oppressor’s act that must be resisted in line with the national anthem”, he declared.
The Asonal royal family head hinted that Okyehene and agents are bent on disrupting the work of the new chief as well as frantic effort to install a rival chief is a recipe for disaster and chaos for the people of Begoro.
Okyehene has no locus to impose any chief on the people of Begoro. the state apparatus, the president, and his Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo should therefore restrain him in the interest of public peace.
He expressed shock when Dasebre Antwi-Awuah IV, the chief of Begoro was denied access to the local palace to perform routine customary rites on Wednesday 8 March 2023 by armed police dispatched from the national, regional and district police commands.
“Begoro reserves the right to live in peace and go about their traditional rites unencumbered. The people, the youth and elders of Begoro are resolved to stand by the truth and must be left to go about their lives in peace and not in pieces”, he added.
This appointment and assumption of office as the regent of Begoro brought heavy security personnel deployed from the District Police Command to avert any possible mayhem and also calm down tension in the town.
But for the top-notch display of professionalism by the police led by Regional Commander Emmanuel Twumasi Ankrah the situation would have been bloody.
The police commander heaped praise on the leadership and residents.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Solomon Nartey
