Akwamu Homecoming In Danger

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Accra, Saturday November 10, 2012.

The much talked-about homecoming of the people of Akwamu near Akosombo in the Eastern Region is in danger following the issuance of an arrest warrant against two leading figures of the area.

The two are Nana Afrakoma, the queen mother and Kwabena Owiredu, also known as Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III who allegedly refused to appear before a High Court in Koforidua to answer contempt charges resulting out of a chieftaincy dispute in Akwamu.

As a result, the police in Akosombo are said to be preparing to carry out the court’s order by arresting the two.

DAILY GUIDE learnt that Nana Afrakoma who is a queenmother from the Botwe family was preparing to enstool Nana Kwabena Owiredu with the stool name Nana Kwafo Akoto III as the Omanhene of the Akwamu Traditional Area.

For years, the issue of who is the rightful occupant of Akwamuman stool has been hotly contested between the Botwe and the Ansaa families.

The case was referred to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs in Koforidua and while the adjudication process was ongoing, the Botwe family lead by Nana Afrakoma allegedly enstooled Kwabena Owiredu with the stool name Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III against the will of the house.

Incensed with the action, the Ansaa family lead by Opanin Antwi Manu and Love Adwo Som initiated contempt proceeding against the two at a Koforidua High Court presided over by Justice Henry A. Kwofie.

When the case was called, the defendants allegedly refused to honour the court’s appearance notice even though they were said to have been served with the processes on October 30, 2012.

A court document signed by Philip Yekple, Senior Registrar of the High Court, Koforidua said “By the directive from Chief Justice’s circular No. J/4/VOL.6 of 13 of March 2009, that police assistance is to be sought for any execution that may be carried out by the court.”

It added: “I wish that policemen be detailed to assist the bailiffs to execute Warrant of Arrest at Akwamu Ahenfie.”

A source from the Ansaa family told DAILY GUIDE that the family per se is not against the homecoming but the conduct of the rival family.