Enyan Denkyira chieftaincy dispute settled

An interdenominational service has been organised by the chiefs, queens and the people of Enyan Denkyira to thank God for the end of a chieftaincy dispute that started in 1993 between the two gates of the royal Dihyena clan of the town.

The dispute erupted when the Hamah gate disagreed to the choice of a paramount chief of the Enyan Denkyira Traditional Area from the Antwi gate following the death of the last paramount chief of the traditional area, Nana Antwi II, though the queen, Nana Otua Apramboa II, is from the Hamah gate.

The Antwi gate went ahead to install the chief, Osabarima Otsibu VI, and a queen while  the Hamah gate installed a chief.

The two gates then parted ways and became embroiled in the dispute, meeting at the court and other venues where certain personalities attempted to resolve the issue.

Organised on the theme: “Lord, we offer You thanks”, the service organised last Sunday was attended by the people of the town; those from other communities in the Enyan Denkyira Traditional Area, as well as the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District, and others from the surrounding districts.

Preaching the sermon, the minister in charge of the Church of Pentecost assembly at Enyan Denkyira, Rev. Osafo Adu, said challenges of life could make ordinary individuals, rulers, organisations, groupings, communities and even nations confuse such that the next decision was hard to take.

Rev. Osafo Adu said in the midst of such confusion, faith in God was the only solution that would put soul and mind at rest to prepare people for good results.

Making reference to 2 Chronicle 20:3-4; 12-17, he taught about five ways to get out of the confusion, namely: seeking God, prayer, direction of God, change of attitude for the better and total dependence on God.

The minister of God then charged the factions that were involved in the dispute and their cohorts not make any attempt to review it.

In his speech, Osabarima Otsibu thanked all those who helped  in resolving the dispute, making special mention of a committee of three chiefs. They are Nana Appiah IV, regent to the chief of Nana Okofo Bondam III, Enyanmanhen, Chairman;    Osagyefo Kwame Akonu X, the paramount chief of Enyan Abasa Traditional Area, and Dasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, Omanhen of Abeadze Dominase and President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, member; and the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Development Association.

Nana Otua Apramboa told the Daily Graphic  she could not imagine who would renew the dispute, saying “what we have done to bring us the peace is forever.”

She appealed to the citizens of Enyan Denkyira to sustain the peace and help in diverse ways to develop the town.

The chairman for the occasion, Mr Albert Kobina Koomson, a retired director of the Centre of Continuing Education, University of Cape Coast, and citizen of the town, also appealed to people to take advantage of the peace in the town and help in developing it.

The service passed its hype as the various religious groupings, as well as individuals who were moved to do something special were given the opportunity to do so, and in one of the instances, a prominent citizen of the town and an Accra-based businessman, Uncle Siisi Crentsil, unknown for public singing, charged the atmosphere with gospel song ministration.