Wuaku Commission gets new counsel

Mr Yaw Wiredu-Peprah, a Sunyani-based private legal practitioner, has been appointed as the new counsel for the Wuaku Commission, which is probing into the Yendi chieftaincy crisis. Justice I.N.K. Wuaku, Chairman of the Commission, announced this at the resumed sitting of the Commission in Sunyani on Wednesday.

Mr Wiredu-Peprah's appointment became necessary following the sudden death in Accra of the Commission's counsel, Mr G. K. Owoo on July 12, when the Commission was on a short break after hearing evidence from 64 witnesses of both Gates - Andani and Abudu.

The new Counsel, who is also the chairman of the Brong Ahafo Regional Branch of the Ghana Bar Association, was a former State Attorney. Justice Wuaku said the death of Mr Owoo came as a shock to members of the Commission. "His death is a big loss to the Commission and the nation, considering the significance of the Commission's work in search of peace in the Dagbon Traditional Area."

Justice Wuaku said the Commission was grateful to individuals and organisations that sent messages of condolence when Mr Owoo passed away. He, however, expressed regret that the death of Mr Owoo had created a lot of suspicion among some sections of the society with some assigning spiritual cause to the sad event.

Justice Wuaku blamed a section of the media for the "indiscreet manner" they had handled the situation to instil fear in members of the Commission. "As God-fearing people, we have accepted the death of Mr Owoo as a call by his maker", he said, after which a minute's silence was observed in memory of Mr Owoo.

Justice Wuaku, therefore, appealed to both the Andani and Abudu Gates to give Mr Wiredu-Peprah the needed co-operation to enable him to discharge his work efficiently. The resumed sitting started at 1050 hours to enable the new counsel to take part in a ceremony to end this year's criminal assizes.