Akuapem Asonahene Initiates Peaceful Process Of Enstoolment

Head of the Asona family of Akuapem, Nana Kwasi Omenako II, has said that he would use every peaceful means to ensure that the right person is enstooled as the paramount chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area.

There is currently uneasy calm at Akropong Akuapem in the Eastern Region following the installation and counter installation of a paramount chief for the traditional area, compelling the police to storm the town.

Two factions have emerged from the Sakyebea royal family; and each is claiming to be the rightful gate to select the next Okupehene to succeed the late Oseadeyo Addo Dankwah III, who ruled for 41 years.

Currently, Odehyie Kwasi Akuffo, a 63-year-old retired journalist and businessman and Nana Kese – both from the Sakyeabea family – were said to have been processed simultaneously to be installed paramount chief.

Odehyie Akuffo is being presented by Okuapemhemaa (queen mother) Nana Afua Nketia Obuo II, while the Baamuhene, Nana Afari Bampoe, is backing Nana Kesse, believed to be in his mid 30s and once domiciled in the United States.

According to Akuapem customs and traditions, before one becomes a paramount chief, the person is supposed to go through a four-stage process of nomination, selection, enstoolment and finally the installation; and it is the commencement of the process that is brewing trouble in the town.

A news release signed by the Asonahene on Friday stated, “The Asonehene and Ohemaa Nana Afua Nketia Obuo II wish to take this medium to assure all descendants, friends and well-wishers and the entire nation that as peaceful as the people of Akuapem are and have been since the formation of Akuapem Traditional State by our ancestors, working together with the Divisional Chiefs and all stakeholders will employ every resource at our disposal to ensure a peaceful end to this unfortunate happening.”

He made it clear, “The first set of the entire process of installation is purely an Asona Family affair and thus the Ohemaa, who is the queen mother of the Asona Family and the Asonahene, the head of the family, are the lawful traditional authorities to lead the process.”

He said what the Baamuhene faction did last week during the installation process of Odehyie Kwasi Akuffo – when they broke into the palace and tried to enstool Nana Kese – “is unheard of and uncustomary in the Asona history of Akuapem since 1733.”

By William Yaw Owusu