Newly installed Omanhene of Sunyani pledges to champion environmental cleanliness

Odeefuo Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II, the newly installed Omanhene of Sunyani, says he will soon roll out a comprehensive plan aimed at making the Bono regional capital the cleanest city in the country.

He is therefore calling on all residents, both home and abroad, to support this cause and other efforts aimed at accelerating the pace of development of Sunyani.

At a media briefing at the Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II Palace, the new paramount chief promised to ensure that Sunyani regained its past glory as one of the cleanest cities in the country, as was the case in the days of his late uncle, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II.

Touching on the recent controversies surrounding his enstoolment, the Sunyanimanhene explained the peculiarity of the Boahen Korkor Asennie Royal Family, with emphasis on the three gates–Koo Antwiwaa, Akosua Dua and Baani.

He expressed his appreciation to the traditional council for their great work, especially heir steadfastness through the thick and thin of the enstoolment process.

“It is not the luxury of kingship or the inheritance of the seat of my uncle that excites me, but the opportunity to help move Sunyani forward in a positive light. My tenure will truly transform Sunyani. A year by this time we will witness a city we will all be proud of,” he said.

He was positive that his elders, particularly the two great women who were still alive and abreast of the long history of the family, would assist in the amicable settlement of any dispute for peace to prevail.

Misunderstanding
After the final funeral and burial rites of the late Omanhene of Sunyani, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, last year, the traditional council began the process of installing a new chief, but, along the line, some misunderstanding arose regarding the rightful and acceptable replacement of the late Omanhene.

The situation appeared to have escalated, following the installation of Nana Odeefuo Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II, who is known in private life as Yaw Agyare, as the Omanhene of Sunyani.

Not long after his installation, the queen mother of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Akosua Dua Asor Sika Brayie II, filed an interlocutory injunction to restrain Mr. Yaw Agyare from carrying, styling and conducting himself as Sunyanimanhene in any manner.

The injunction application also sought to restrain the Akwamuhene, Nana Kwaku Sarbeng Ababio II, from introducing or parading Mr. Agyare as paramount chief of Sunyani Traditional Area in any manner whatsoever.

The application was filed by her lawyer, Kwame Twumasi-Awuah, on Friday, January 10, 2025.

The queen mother, among others, said Nana Sarbeng Ababio by custom lacked the capacity to nominate a candidate to occupy the vacant paramount stool of Sunyani Traditional Area, adding that the purported nomination and installation of Mr. Agyare under a tree in front of the old palace was contrary to custom and law and same must be set aside.

It said Mr. Agyare was not validly nominated by the queen mother of Sunyani Paramount Stool; therefore, he had not acquired or attained chiefly status and could not style himself as Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area.

Response
Responding, the Akwamuhene, Nana Kwaku Sarbeng Ababio II, clarified that Yaw Agyare had been customarily enstooled and installed as the Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area with the stool name Nana Odeefuo Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II.

The Akwamuhene, who acted as the President of the Sunyani Traditional Council prior to the installation of Nana Boahen Korkor II, said the queen mother’s role was to nominate a candidate or candidates for selection by the kingmakers of the Sunyani Traditional Council.

“The relevant customary procedure for the enstoolment of the paramount chief of Sunyani Traditional Area has been enacted into a Legislative Instrument titled ‘Declaration of Customary Law (Sunyani) Traditional Council Instrument, 2010 (establishment) Instrument 2010 (L.I.1972’,” he added.