Berekum Outdoors Omanhene Today

All is set for the out-dooring today, July 9, of Daasebre Amankona Diawuo II as Omanhene of the Berekum Traditional Area of the Brong-Ahafo Region. The ceremony is expected to end months of controversy and speculation.

Daasebre Diawuo, a medical doctor by profession, succeeded the late Nana Owusu Boakye II. He was installed on February 19, 2001 but was restrained on February 19, 2001 but was restrained from exercising his functions as the Paramount Chief on September 17, 2002, following a petition to the Judicial Committee of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs. The Krontihene for the traditional area, Nana Ofori Appiah II, brought the petition against Daasebre Diawuo?s installation.

However, at a press conference on June 16, 2004, at the Berekumhene?s palace, the Traditional Council announced that, following the revocation by the Judicial Committee of the restraining order, Daasebre Diawuo was free to exercise his function as Omanhene.

This was made possible by an order issued on April 26, this year, by the Wenchi High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Frank Amoah. The court declared ?null and void and of no legal effect? all proceedings that had taken place before that date in which Mr James Ben Kaba had acted as counsel to the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs.

Mr Ben Kaba was said to have been appointed to that position by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. The Judge ruled, however, that the Attorney General?s order attaching Mr Ben Kaba to the House of Chiefs was wrong because the House was supposed to appoint its own counsel and, therefore, he could act only for the House that appointed him.