Council Hits Back at Daasebre’s Accusers

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday July 9, 2011
THE NEW Juaben Traditional Council says it views a recent news conference and subsequent demonstration against Daasebre Professor (Emeritus) Oti Boateng, Omanhene of the area as a gross disregard for laid down procedures in seeking redress in chieftaincy, customary and traditional affairs.

The council said it is condemning the act “without any reservations” cautioning that this “mischievous means of seeking redress should not be entertained in the affairs of the time-honoured chieftaincy institution since it will only succeed in breeding conflicts and chaos.”

A news release issued in Koforidua and jointly signed by Nana Kwame Oppong-Owusu (Jumapohene), Nana Owusu-Akyeau (Akrowafuohene) and Nana Owusu Asante Kwatia (Aboafuohene), declared their unflinching support and confidence in Prof. Oti Boateng and expressed their appreciation for “the unparalleled progress and development in the New Juaben Traditional Area during his reign.”

According to the release, on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, “a disappointed and disqualified aspirant to the Yiadom-Hwedie Royal Stool of New Juaben supported by a few sub-chiefs who do not want to follow laid-down customary procedure under the Chieftaincy Act to address their grievances, if any, held a press conference and organized some youth to demonstrate.”

The release said the disgruntled group had demonstrated against what they termed as “fallen standards of customs and tradition of the people of New Juaben” but ended up making “baseless and misleading allegations against the Omanhene.”

They said the council met on June 24, 2011 to deliberate over the issue and found out that “the allegations were wholly unfounded” but in order to educate the public particularly the youth on the developments of the area, the council appointed a committee to further study the petition and make recommendations.

The committee according to the release handled certain issues including events preceding Daasebre Oti Boateng’s enstoolment, his leadership style, relationship between New Juaben and the Golden Stool, hierarchy of priests, registrars and traditional council account.

The release said the rest of the issues addressed by the committee include those concerning the queen mother, Abusuapanin, development, the palace, festival, Juaben Development Board, foreign relations, housing and infrastructure, health, local investments as well as education.

It said for nearly 19 years, Daasebre Oti Boateng has led his people to great prosperity adding that the Omanhene has led a transparent and tolerant administration.

“It is erroneous to refer to Daasebre Oti Boateng’s style of leadership as dictatorial or autocratic. The Omanhene is well-versed in the traditions, customs and values of the traditional area and has always respected and acted in strict conformity with them,” the release said.

The council said the Omanhene’s “inspiring and visionary leadership” brought together corporate executives, professionals and other eminent citizens of New Juaben to form the Juaben Development Board in 2004 to ensure that appropriate structures are put in place for accelerated development, wealth creation and poverty reduction in the New Juaben State.

The council further said that Daasebre’s reign has seen massive infrastructural development in the traditional area including housing, health, schools, libraries and a host of others and promised to help him to continue with his development plans.