Cancel the festival - Omanhene appeals to IGP

Obrempong Nyanful Krampah, the Omanhene of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police to cancel the celebration of the annual Akwambo festival of the Gomoa Abassa traditional area.

He said there is no peace in the town because an existing chieftaincy dispute has created an undue tension.

The Omanhene said if the festival is allowed to proceed, there could be loss of lives and properties.

A letter dated January 8, 2016, addressed to the Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander and copied to Nana Okwamdum Atta IX, the chief of the town; and Nana Kra Agyeman II, the Omankrodo of the town; the Omanhene said that the traditional council has not given permit to anybody to celebrate the Akwambo festival in the town.

The letter said “even in the absence of a chief, only a regent appointed and introduced to the Omanhene and Nananom of the Traditional Council is equipped to celebrate the festival and other events with a permit from traditional council”.

The Omanhene said Section 7 of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council bye-laws 2014 enjoins any Odzikro to obtain a permit from the Council and the Police Service for their information and protection.

“It is, however, very disturbing that the Police at Agona Swedru without consultation with the Traditional Council has granted a permit to the youth in the town to commence the celebration of the festival on Monday, 11 January 2016.

Briefing the press after meeting the Divisional Commander on how some youth in the town obtained a police permit to celebrate the festival without his information, Nana Okwadum Atta IX, Chief of Gomoa Abaasa, said his supporters who are in the majority, have also decided to celebrate the festival on the same day.

He said this could lead to a bloodbath and destruction of properties.

The intervention of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and highly powerful security agencies are needed as early as practicable to avert tragedy, he said.

Chieftaincy dispute has been lingering in Gomoa Abassa since the past five years, creating division among the chiefs and the people.