Donyina Rejects New Chief

The people of Donyina, near Kumasi, have rejected the enstoolment of a certain Osei Yaw as their chief and have petitioned the Asantehene to enstool a substantive chief for the town. They have described his enstoolment as untraditional and non-customary.

According to a petition of October 3, 2000 the nomination and enstoolment and subsequent 'secret' swearing of oath to the late Gyasehene, by Osei Yaw, alias Nana Dankwa Benafuo, as Donyinahene is unacceptable.

The petition, jointly issued by the local Adult Council, Donyina Youth Association, explains that the Abusuapanyin, Queen mother and Gyasehene had earlier in 1995 nominated a certain Nana Manu, alias Osei Gyenin, to the community as the accepted chief of Donyina. The petitioners said the claim to the stool by Osei Yaw as chief of Donyina comes as a surprise.

They alleged that Osei Yaw had denounced the original royal family of the stool, saying all people of Donyina are not indigenes and see him (Osei Yaw) as putting a wedge in the royal family. According to the petitioners, Osei Yaw has since not been able to exercise his functions as chief, because his enstoolment is against custom.

The so-called chief is also accused of using the police to harass citizens opposed to him, according to the petitioners.

To date, the Gyasehene has not sworn any oath of allegiance to him because he is not recognised as chief, the petition claimed.