18 Arrested over chief’s enstoolment

Eighteen persons suspected to be land guards from Kasoa have been arrested by the Kyebi Divisional Police Command for violating the public order law and installing Yaw Ofosu Boadu as the new chief of Akyem Apedwa in the Eastern Region on Sunday.

The suspects, who were allegedly deployed by the Gyasehene of Akyem Apedwa, are currently in the custody of the Suhum Police Command assisting in investigations. They are expected to be arraigned before the court today.

It would be recalled that the late chief of Apedwa, Osaberima Obenakwa Kwafira II died on December 18, 2014 and was buried on 1st November this year.

DAILY GUIDE learnt that one Opanin Kwadwo, a deposed Abusuapanin on last Thursday, proceeded to install Yaw Boadu as the new chief for Apedwa without police permit or consent of the Agona Family.

Members of the Agona Family, which was unhappy about the behavior of the deposed Abusuapanin, reported the matter to the Kyebi Police.

The police secured an injunction from court to stop the installation of the chief.

However, they further went ahead and outdoored Yaw Ofosu Boadu as the new chief on Sunday afternoon.

The paper gathered that when the police got the information about the event, they stormed the venue to make some arrests.

The family of the Yaw Boadu nearly clashed with the police when they prevented them doing so.

The police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, in a press release issued and signed by D.M Ofori Atta copied to DAILY GUIDE stated that the Okyenhene’s outfit wants to inform the public that the installation of the Yaw Ofosu Boadu as the new Apedwa chief under the supervision of Opanin Kwadwo Dua is unlawful and violates the customs of area.

The council condemned the fundamental customary breaches and irregularities associated with the purported installation of Yaw Ofosu Boadu.

Agona Family Reactions

Baffour Owurae Antwi II, the Akyem Apedwa Krontinhene, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, said after the burial of Osabarima ObenAkwa Kwarifa II, the Agona Royal family and leaders of Akyem Apedwa, who were still mourning the late chief, were shocked to hear about the illegal installation of a chief without the consent of the kingmakers.

The kingmakers include Baffour Owurae Antwi II, Obaapanin Asantewaa Aboagyewaa, Queenmother of Akyem Apedwa, Obaapanin Yaa Tarkwaa, Abusuapanin of Akyem Apedwa Agona Royal family and other members of the Agona Royal family.

“No one has been installed as chief of Akyem Apedwa as far as the kingmakers of Akyem Apedwa and Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council are concerned. We are advising those behind this illegality to desist from it to maintain the peace and sanity in Akyem Apedwa.

Nana Antwi further stated that the Akyem Apedwa Agona Royal Family would present a credible person to the kingmakers at the appropriate time after consultations.

“Such illegalities are threats to the peace and security of Akyem Apedwa and its environs. We assure the people of Akyem Apedwa that the legal action has been taken against the perpetrators,” he added.