Apedwahene destooled

Apedwa (Eastern Region) -- The Okyeman council has withdrawn recognition of Barima Addo Gyekye II, chief of Apedwa in the East Akyem District of the Eastern Region.

This followed the refusal of the 78-year-old chief to appear before the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin to answer 19 charges preferred against him by the Queenmother, Obaapanin Asantewaa Aboagyewaa I, Abusuapanyin Kwadwo Dua and the elders of the town.

Briefing the press at Apedwa on Thursday, the Abusuapanyin said the Apedwahene who has ruled for 24 years, has on several occasions failed to answer summons by the Okyenhene to answer charges preferred against him by the Queenmother, Abusuapanyin and elders of the town.

He said to ensure peace in the town, the Okyenhene therefore, ordered a sheep to be slaughtered to signify the chief’s destoolment, in accordance with Okyeman custom. Among the charges are embezzlement of funds, levied among the citizens of the town for development projects and the illegal sale of 35 hectres of land at Samsam, near Nsawam.

The Apedwahene, Barima Addo Gyekye II could not be immediately located for his reaction since he was out of town. But an elderly woman had retorted: “We’re happy that the destoolment of this chief is going to bring development to this town”.