Akyem Kotokuhene Replies Okyenhene On Adoagyiri Chieftaincy Clash

The Akyem Kotokuhene Okumahene, Oseadieyo Dr. Frimpong Manso, has reacted to the chieftaincy-related clash that was seen in Adoagyiri in late August 2023.

His Royal Majesty Oseadeeyo Dr. Frempong Manso IV, the Paramount Chief of the Eastern Region’s Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, has issued a call for peace over the Adoagyiri Chieftaincy Dispute.

Dr. Frimpong Manso made this appeal when traditional leaders of the Adoagyiri Traditional Council reported the horrifying incidents that had occurred in Adoagyiri land over the past few weeks to the Overlord of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council.

At least two people were shot dead and two others seriously injured in a chieftaincy dispute-related gun attack at Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

Narrating the incidences, Nana Odiatuo Okatakyie Afrifa, Abakomahene of Adoagyiri, recalled that: “On August 19, 2023, Akyem Abuakwa overlord Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin sent thugs of his Okyeman Taskforce to install a rival chief Nana Adu Korkor III at Adoagyiri, contrary to the traditions and customs of Adoagyi and Kotoku”.

The outspoken representative of the Adoagyiri stool hinted that “this dark move had been preceded by a prolonged and forceful land-grabbing exercise by Okyehene that has spanned for over six years. And on August 29, 2023, Okyeman taskforces stormed Adoagyiri to parade the rival chief through the principal streets of Adoagyiri amidst gunshots, killing two Adoagyiri men in the process and wounding several others who were receiving medical attention in various hospitals”.

 

Nana Etuoserebuor Safo Kankam, the Manwerehene of Adoagyiri, made an additional hint: “As I speak, police are everywhere; they are wandering the streets of Adoagyiri, so there is tranquility. However, the tension that Adoagyiri land has experienced has created a cloud of anxiety and stress over the people, and we hope that quiet and tranquility will soon return so that people can conduct their daily lives without dread”.

 

In a video shared on social media, the Okyenhene had cause to threaten anyone who dared to challenge the authority of the person he had enstooled.

 

 

HIS ROYAL MAJESTY’S REACTIONS

Reacting to it at a press conference at his palace on Monday, September 4, 2023, Oseadieyo Dr. Frimpong Manso said that it is beyond dispute that Akyem Kotoku has experienced tremendous sorrow and pain as a result of the circumstances in Adoagyiri.

He added that the clash that was seen was needless.

He indicated that the Adoagyiri chieftaincy conflict is a matter of law that can be easily resolved and not an issue of violence.

“We are in 2023; this is not the time to start a tribal war. It is needless. Ghana is a nation where the laws work.

“I know that there is an issue at hand; I know that it has become a great source of worry for the entire Kotoku land. But we know that in this country, it is the law that works,” he said in Twi.

The Akyem Kotokuhene Okumahene also called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who hails from Akyem Abuakwa, to intervene in the matter.

“We know that my big brother, Nana Addo Dankwa, is someone who respects the laws of the country and is a lawyer himself. I know that he can find a way to ensure that the law works on this issue facing us so that it does not escalate,” he added.

 

 

HISTORY
The King alluded to the history of Kotoku and Abuakwa’s alliance, saying: “Kotoku and Abuakwa have always been allies, giving support to one another since time immemorial.

He asserted that “King Kuntunkununku and King Ofosuhene Appenteng of Kotoku had been closest companions who decided to relocate from the present-day Adansi territory. Also, Afrifa Akwadaa, King of Kotoku, and Nana Dokua, Overlord of Abuakwa, were siblings, thus making every Okyehene the nephew of Kotokuhene. I will not allow the present events in Adoagyiri land to destroy the fabric of the relationship our forebears knitted”.

Kotokuhene issued an appeal for peace throughout his entire domain and prayed for peace to rule, as well as for God to spare the relatives of the victims of the chieftaincy crisis their grief and suffering.

 

 

Background:

Angry sub-chiefs and residents of Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region have threatened mayhem if Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II and the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council do not stop their planned outdooring of a rival chief clandestinely and illegally enstooled.

On Saturday, August 19, 2023, Odehye Kwame Ntiamoah from the Dwumana royal family of Adoagyiri was installed as rival Chief of Adoagyiri with the stool name Barima Adu Korkor lll, under heavily armed police personnel led by Chief Superintendent Magnus Reindorf Sam, Kibi Divisional Police Commander, with the support of the Okyeman Land Protection Taskforce.

The furious sub-chiefs and elders, however, say Adoagyiri has had a legitimately gazetted chief for the past 15 years in the person of Okoanadwo Afutu Dompreh II. Therefore, they described the enstoolment of the parallel chief as illegal and a potential threat to the peace of the town.

 

Watch the video below

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU for constantly reading stories on MyGhanaMedia.com, a news publishing website from Ghana. Kindly like, follow, comment, and SHARE stories on all social media platforms for more entertaining updates!