Akuapem Banmuhene barred from holding himself as chief

The Standing Committee of Akuapem Traditional Council in the Eastern Region at its meeting on 2nd August , 2019 upheld a High Court decision that Nana Kwame Afari Bampo II should not hold himself as a Chief until the final determination of the case relating to the charges brought against him by his family, the Banmu Stool Family, the Twumwaa Family, according to reports.

The decision of the Standing Committee of the Akuapem Traditional Council, reporters gathered, was taken when the Head of the Banmu Stool House which is the Twumwaa Family, Opanyin L.C.A Okraku reminded the Akuapem Traditional Council which was a second Respondent in the order of the High Court of the existence of the court injunction that prevents Nana Kwame Afari Bampo II to hold himself as a chief .

According to the letter of the Head of the Twumwaa Family sighted by this reporter, the Banmuhene, Nana Kwame Afari Bampo II had conducted himself in a manner that sort to bring the name of the Banmu Stool House in disrepute and one not befitting of a chief.

The statement states further that the Banmu Stool House summoned him before the Judicial Committee of the Akuapem Traditional Council as far back as June 2011 and the family proceeded to court and filed a motion on notice of an interlocutory injunction in the High Court and the injunction was upheld by the court.

The statement of the Banmu Stool House states that Nana Kwame Afari Bampo tried through his lawyer to over turn the injunction but was not successful indicating that the injunction restraining Nana Kwame Afari Bampo from holding himself as a Chief is still in force.

The letter of the Head of Banmu Stool House of House Number W15 , Akropong Akuapem stated, “We pray that the Akuapem Standing Committee/ Traditional Council and the general public would be guided”.

Meanwhile, we have information that the Akuapem Traditional Council has decided to celebrate this year’s Odwira .

It will be recalled that the people of Akuapem did not celebrate last year’s Odwira because of the occupation of the Okuapemhene’s palace and the Chieftaincy Dispute for which the Banmuhene Nana Kwame Afari Bampo is alleged to be in the centre of the violence and confusion associated with the Akuapem Chieftaincy Dispute .

Background

Nana Bampo, known in private life as Staff Sergeant Frederick Ansaaku Kwakye of Base Ordnance, Ghana Army, was been dragged to the Judicial Committee of the Akuapem Traditional Council by his kingmakers after he publicly brandished a pistol, allegedly threatening his subjects.

In a 29-point-petition presented to the Council dated June 28, 2011, the kingmakers are seeking a declaration that the respondent (Nana Bampo II) has acted in various ways that make him unfit to occupy the Banmu Stool.

The kingmakers, who are all members of the Banmu stool family, include Opanin Kwaku Boateng, Abrewatia Christiana Akuffo-Darko, Abrewatia Yaa Oforiwaa, Opanin Kwabena Obuobi and Elizabeth Yirenkyiwaa Dua.

Nana Bampo II who was installed as the Banmuhene in 2003 is also accused of ‘using the Banmu palace for certain customary practices and acts which are unknown to the stool and amount to blasphemy’.