[ 2017-05-12 ]

Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, who was full of joy and smiles called for unity at Akwamu

25-year old Akwamu cheiftaincy dispute settled in favour of Odeneho
The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs has given its
judgment on the Akwamu Cheiftaincy Dispute which
had been pending for over 25 years, declaring
Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, as the recognized and
accepted Paramount Chief of Akwamu.

The case involved Abusuapanyin Kojo Kyer Adddaquay
and Abrewatia Love Adwo Som as the petitioners,
and Nana Afrakoma II, Nana Nyarkoa (Benkumhemaa)
Nana Asomani (Amanguahene) and Kwame Owiredu as
the respondents.

The petitioners challenged the eligibility of
Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, the Paramount Chief of
Akwamu, stating that the Chief was an outsider who
was not from the royal family. They also held
that, the process through which he ascended the
throne 6 years ago, was not in conformity with
customs of Akwamuman.

The counsel for the Eastern Regional House of
Chiefs which sat on the case in Koforidua,
constituted the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia
Ofori-Panin, the chairman, Nana Gyankomah Djaba
Mensah, the council and recorder, Okotwasuo
Kantamanto Oworae Agyekum III (member), and Nana
Sakite the kronor of Manya krobo (member).

The Judgement

Nana Gyankomah Djaba Mensah who read out the
verdict on the decision taken by the council
stated that “As conclusion of the whole matter,
Nananom find as per the evidence, facts, History,
Custom and all the exhibits presented before them
that…

1. To ascend to the black stool of Akwamu, a
candidate must of necessity come from either the
house of Yaa Ansaa or Yaa Botwe

2. That there is no established system of rotation
in Akwamu to ascend to the Paramount stool.

3. That as far as the history of the people of
Akwamu is concerned, the office of Queen mother is
not alien to the people of Akwamu

4. That the first respondent was validly
nominated, elected and installed the paramount
chief of Akwamu in accordance with the custom and
practices of the people of Akwamu”.

The counsel for the respondents after the
judgment, made a plea that an amount of GHC 50,
000.00 be paid to his clients as compensation to
defray the cost of time, resources and money spent
to and fro in pursuance of the case.

However, the chairman of the Regional House of
Chiefs, Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin
together with his jury, pleaded for a reduction
which was accepted by the respondents and pegged
at GHC 15.000.00.

Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, who was full of joy and
smiles in an interview with Citi News called for
unity at Akwamu, saying “this victory is not for
one group, it is for the whole Akwamu so everyone
should not be shy, let’s all come together as
one big family and develop Akwamuman”.

A grand Durbar is scheduled to be held on Sunday
at the forecourt of the Chiefs Palace in
Akwamufie.

Source - citifmonline.com

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