Tension is mounting at Nkoranza in the Bono East Region where a
38-year-old accountant, one Kwaku Soro, has been enstooled as the chief
of the town despite an ongoing mediation effort by Asantehene, Otumfuo
Osei Tutu II.
The Nkoransa Traditional Council has been without a paramount chief
following the death of Okatakyie Agyemang Kodom IV, three years ago.
The decision on who to succeed the late chief has become a problem, leading to the closure of the Nkoranza chief’s palace.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who oversees the Nkoranza Traditional Area, has been trying to resolve the stalemate.
But even before the Asantehene could settle the matter, Kwaku Soro has
been enstooled as the new chief, heightening tension in the town.
Queenmother of the Nkoranza Traditional Council, Nana Adutwumwaa Kudaa
Kani II, at a news conference in Nkoranza, questioned the legitimacy of
Kwaku Soro, indicating he has not been endorsed by the kingmakers in the
Traditional Area.
“The Nkoransa stool is for Otumfuo, he said he is travelling and when he
returns he would come and settle the issue if you could not wait and
went ahead to enstool. I am saying that it would not hold,” she stated.
She reminded inhabitants of Nkoranza and its environs that the
enstoolment of Kwaku Soro by the Ankobeahene is against the customary
rites of the Nkoranza Traditional Council.
“I have not seen such thing before. I was well trained and I respect our
culture and do not go against our culture. When I am enstooling a Chief
I involve everyone. So I am surprised that Nkoransa do not know the
customs.
“If I do not come out to say something about what they did, they would
say I know something about it. I know anything about it; it is before
Otumfuo,” Nana Kani II said.
The linguist to the Queenmother, Nana Atta Fosu Owusu Ababio, who is
also the Asaamaahene of Nkoransa Traditional Council, entreated the
youth not to defy the customs and traditions of the land, and remain
calm for a peaceful resolution of the impasse.
