Four sub-chiefs of Akuapem-Akropong in the Eastern Region, who reportedly took part in the purported installation of a new Okuapehene in defiance of the ban on social gathering, are expected to report to the police this morning.
The four chiefs, whose names were not given by the police, were picked up by the team led by the District Police Commander, Stephen Tetteh, during a meeting with the chiefs after the installation process on Friday afternoon.
Currently, there is tension at Akropong following the alleged installation, as two factions are sharply divided over a ruling on the Okuapehene race by the Regional House of Chiefs.
Bizarrely, the same police and some military men were providing security during the installation, but later made a U-turn to arrest them after receiving public bashing of allowing the kingmakers to break the social distancing protocol against the spread of Covid-19.
“We have been ordered to come and arrest four of your chiefs who, according to our information, flouted the social distancing protocol against the spread of Covid-19,” a police officer reportedly said before picking up the chiefs.
The Chief of Amonorkrom, Osim Kwatia, who was reportedly part of the installation process, welcomed the police officers and handed over the four suspects who were alleged to have masterminded the flouting of the law.
They were later granted bail and are expected to report themselves to the police today.
Blame Game
DAILY GUIDE later learnt that Odehye Kofi Asiedu Adumfo, a linguist for the kingmakers, was among the chiefs arrested, and he later told the media that only 11 persons, including eight kingmakers, were accredited to take part in the ceremony and, therefore, it was the responsibility of the security to ensure that onlookers did not take part in the exercise.
Chief Installation
Currently, there is heavy presence of armed police from the Formed Police Unit (FPU), military personnel, BNI, and the National Security at Akropong, particularly at the forecourt of the Okuapehene’s palace, following the purported installation of Nana Kwadwo Kese, 34, as the new Okuapehene.
It followed the nullification of the enstoolment process of Odehye Kwasi Akufo by the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs last Thursday.
Process
The Abrewatia of Sakyibea Royal Family called Lilian Nana Agyemang and eight of the 11 kingmakers later presented the paramount chief elect to the Asonahene, the Krontihene, Osahene Ofei Kwasi Agyemang, and Baamuhene Nana Kwame Asare Bampoe for the traditional process to commence.
However, while Odehye Kwasi Akufo was installed by the Paramount Queenmother, Nana Afua Nketia Obuo III, as the successor to the late Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, the Abrewatia of Sakyibea Royal Family also nominated Nana Kwadwo Kese as Paramount Chief.
Interestingly, the Regional House of Chiefs panel held that the process involving the collective decision of the Mmrewatia in the nomination of a candidate should be enforced, adding that it cannot come from single Abrewatia.
The panel said further that the name of the candidate selected by the team of Mmrewatia should be given to the Asonahene and then to the Okuapemanhemaa for the processes to start.
The Okuapeman Stool has three ruling houses – Nketia, Amogyaa, and Sakyibea. Currently, it is the turn of the Sakyibea ruling house to select a candidate to be installed as Okuapehene.
The Paramount Queenmother, Nana Afua Nketia Obuo, whose traditional duty it is to introduce the nominated Okuapehene to Asonahene Nana Kwasi Omenako II to oversee the process, has distanced herself from the action of the kingmakers.
Besides, the Asonahene had said he was not involved in the process.
