Akuapem holds reunification service

A special thanksgiving service for the reunification of the Akuapem Paramountcy has been held at Akropong Akuapem in the Eastern Region.

The service, which had the theme “Behold: The Lord makes all things new and beautiful”, attracted a large number of people, including the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Julius Debrah and all the five divisions that constitute the Akuapem Paramountcy. They are the Nifa, Benkum, Adonten, Gyase and Kronti.

It was organised by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in collaboration with the Akuapem Traditional Council. Background

In 1993 there arose a dispute between Akropong and Abiriw over a piece of land and that degenerated into a conflict. Eventually the people of Okere (Nifa), Larteh (Benkum) and Aburi (Adonten) seceded from Akropong and formed their own paramountcies. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana, through the Akuapem Presbytery, took it upon itself to reunite the paramountcies and after 20 years, the effort finally culminated in the signing of a peace accord in Koforidua last year. Sermon

In a sermon, the President of the Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Reverend Professor J. O. Y. Mantey, commended the chiefs for burying their differences. He described the Akuapem Paramountcy as unique and, therefore, urged the people not to dwell on the past, but rather work towards promoting the development of the area.

He said development in the Akuapem area had stagnated following the 20 years of conflict and expressed the hope that the chiefs would work hard to create job opportunities for the people.

“As leaders you should work so that the young men and women who sit beside the roads can get jobs in order to fend for themselves. I pray that the harmony brought about by the reunification of the paramountcies will see investors come to  set up businesses so that our people get jobs”, he added.

Rev. Prof. Mantey advised the Christians to humble themselves and “let Jesus Christ bring transformation into your lives”.

He further prayed against corruption and incompetencies in the system. Okuapemhene

In a speech read on his behalf, the Okuapemhene, Oseadeeyo Nana Addo Dankwa III, commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for its relentless effort to bring the people of Akuapem together, as well as all those who in one way or another supported in the reunification process.

He also expressed happiness that Okuapemman had finally found peace and hoped that the development of the area would be promoted. Regional Minister

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Julius Debrah, denounced the practice of corruption and said fighting the canker was a shared responsibility. He therefore called on all Ghanaians to help curb the menace.