There was tension at Kwahu-Abene over the supposed enstoolment of renowned pathologist, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa as the chief of Kwahu-Abene.

Some chiefs and heads of families including the Acting Paramount chief of Kwahuman, Nana Asiedu Agyemang III have questioned the enstoolment alleging that the practice was uncustomary.

The police are currently providing adequate security in the area to forestall any reprisal attacks.

“Opinion leaders of Kwahu both home and abroad must consider the happenings at Abene as an unfortunate situation and approach it with the alacrity it deserves.  No matter where you come from, whether from Obo, Nkwatia, Pepiase or any part of Kwahuland, we know the contributions to our land as you have always been development partners for the area,” the group said in a statement.

The youth group in the statement further called for  calm and appealed to the stakeholders to adopt dialogue in resolving the issue instead of attacks and destruction of properties.

“We also wish to call on the traditional authorities to resolve the issue through dialogue rather than physical attack which is truncating the peace and security of our land. This misunderstanding is not above the Chiefs in the Kwahu Traditional Council,” they added.

Below is the full statement from the youth group:

Kwahu Youth for Social Development

WE CALL FOR CALM AT KWAHU ABENE AND KWAHUMAN AS A WHOLE

We, the leadership of Kwahu Youth for Social Development and the entire group wish to call for calm at Kwahu Abene. The happenings are regrettable and must not be justified by any group whatsoever.

As one people, the peace and stability enjoyed by all must not be sacrificed for the interest of any individual or group. One of the things we are known for as Kwahus is our love for peace and living in harmony with one another. Public disorder has never been part of Kwahuman and we don’t want to be associated with it. We must confess that the news came to us as a shock.

We also wish to thank the Police Service for its swift intervention to prevent the worsening of the situation. Notwithstanding, there is still some amount of apprehension as some people are still living in bushes and properties are being destroyed in the town. This requires a security beef up and giving the aboriginals maximum protection.

We are also calling on the youth who are taking advantage of the situation to destroy properties and steal personal possessions to desist from that practice.

We also wish to call on the traditional authorities to resolve the issue through dialogue rather than physical attack which is truncating the peace and security of our land. This misunderstanding is not above the Chiefs in the Kwahu Traditional Council.

Opinion leaders of Kwahu both home and abroad must consider the happenings at Abene as an unfortunate situation and approach it with the alacrity it deserves.  No matter where you come from, whether from Obo, Nkwatia, Pepiase or any part of Kwahuland, we know the contributions to our land as you have always been development partners for the area.

We, as a group do not take side. All we want is peace and harmony.

We believe Kwahu is one of the peaceful places within the country. The common development we all wish for Kwahu can only be a realized when there is peace and stability.

Long Live Kwahu Youth for Social Development.

Long Live Kwahuman.

Long live Ghana.

Thank you all.

Signed

Justice Yeboah

Ag President

Tettey Solomon

Secretary

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kwahu chieftaincy dispute ‘regrettable’ – Youth appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Some Chiefs and heads of families have questioned the enstoolment of Prof. Akosa alleging that the practice was uncustomary.

The Chief of Abetifi and Acting Paramount chief of Kwahuman, Nana Asiedu Agyemang III who is contending Prof. Akosa’s enstoolment has urged his fellow chiefs to back his stance.

Reports indicate that the enstoolment ceremony took place last week at the blindside of some of the concerned chiefs.

Speaking to Citi News on the latest development, the Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour stated that security has been detailed to ensure peace and order.

“The Police are in charge, we are looking at Abene that is the trouble spot, that’s the paramountcy. That is where the Omanhene was enstooled. And as to who did it, we don’t have much information but we are told that the real kingmakers, those who should be there before someone could be enstooled were not in the know, they were not there hence the thing was done clandestinely.”

“I don’t want to spew or inflame any passion. So as for security, I’m telling you that because of the tense nature the issue has generated there is security presence under the command of the Regional Police commander,” he added

Meanwhile, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, when contacted declined any comments on the matter.

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By: Pius Blay Amihere/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Tension in Kwahu-Abene over enstoolment of Prof. Akosa as chief appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the involvement of some chiefs in partisan politics is putting the chieftaincy institution into disrepute.

[contextly_sidebar id=”R23wDM1NuLXFK91zsgTwJIraztg4ZU54″]With some 46 days to Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections, some Chiefs have declared their support for some presidential candidates and called on their subjects vote for them.

But Professor Akosa said the practice must not be encouraged.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday [October 26], he said although the practice of has persisted for many years, it is assuming an alarming trend that needs to be checked.

“It is an increasing phenomenon, it has always been there. But interestingly I have not heard any paramount chief do that. Most of the ones that are doing that are sub-chiefs and I think their paramount Chiefs should call them to order,” he said.

He added that, “if you are a chief, you represent your entire community and therefore you represent all shapes of opinion and therefore you cannot actively within the community [engage in politics]. Yours is to serve the community.”

‘Chiefs endorse Mahama, Nana Addo’

More than sixty (60) chiefs across the country have so far been recorded to have endorsed the candidature of the governing National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) John Mahama and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo.

Chiefs that have endorsed President Mahama include the Chief of Sunyani, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri, Chief of Yeji, Nana Pemapin Yaw Kagbrese, the chief of Bassa, Nana Owusu Sekyi III and the Chief of Odumase No. 1, Nana Kwasi Yeboah.

Some of those who have endorse Akufo Addo include the Chief of Garu, Naba Asuguru Akuntam Wini, Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigiri Azoka Abugrago II and Paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Area, Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI.

‘Report Chiefs who endorse candidates – Chieftaincy minister’

The Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Henry Seidu Danaa, is urging persons concerned about Chiefs endorsing presidential aspirants despite the act being unlawful, to report to them to their respective Regional House of Chiefs to have the issues addressed.

According to him, the constitution frowns on traditional rulers mounting political platforms or displaying party paraphernalia.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Call partisan chiefs to order – Prof Akosa appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The run up to the 2016 elections has seen a number of chiefs pledge support for the presidential candidates of either the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party and Prof. Akosa has said this is wrong given the prime position of chiefs within the community.

[contextly_sidebar id=”VoHoWufyVmGzXk8q4NCOXqOhSTPpgTxd”]These endorsements have also come despite the National House of Chiefs warning chiefs across the country to desist from openly endorsing presidential candidates ahead of the elections.

Speaking in the Citi Breakfast Show, explained that it was for good reason that the framers of the constitution insisted that chiefs are not to play a role in active politics.

“As a chief and as a developmental agent, you have got to lobby every sitting government for possible projects within you community. Now if you have gone and declared, do expect that government will listen to you and therefore you community? You would have done great disservice for you community.”

“Your community should not know where you stand on the partisan divide,” Prof. Akosa stated as he noted that, “assuming that a third of your community does not agree with you or is on the other side of where you have endorsed, the relationship with them going forward becomes very shaky.”

“You can have a choice but that choice should be restricted to yourself. You don’t have to come out and clearly endorse a political party,” Prof. Akosa said.

He however cautioned that, “if there is even one person who opposes that party, that person can create problems for you and that is what will shake the peace and cohesion of you community and therefore the country.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Chiefs hurting lobbying power with partisanship – Prof. Akosa appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.