Editorial by The Chronicle: Dispute over Adoagyiri can only be resolved by the courts

Despite all the challenges or difficulties confronting us as a nation, Ghana is still considered one of the most stable, if not the most peaceful, countries on the Continent of Africa. Whilst our peers are fighting tribal and civil wars, Ghana has remained peaceful. Though we admit that there are pockets of conflicts going on in some parts of the country, they are not on the scale that will make the world believe we have become a destabilised state.

This feat has been achieved because of the strategic policies put in place by both the state and the institution of chieftaincy. Whereas in some African countries it is even a taboo for one tribal chief to visit the other, that kind of antagonistic posture does not exist in Ghana.

It is on record that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a few years ago visited the Ofori Panin Palace at Kyebi, in the Eastern Region. And just last year, he was also at Anloga in the Volta Region to celebrate the Hogbetsotso Festival with the people of the area. All these moves promote peaceful co-existence among the tribes.

It is upon this basis that The Chronicle is worried over the reported tension between the Akyem Abuakwa Palace and that of Kotoku. Both traditional areas are reportedly beating war drums over who exercises traditional authority over Adoagyiri, near Nsawam, in the Eastern Region.

What has sent shivers down our spine is the holding of press conferences by the two ‘combatants’, who have vowed never to allow Adoagyiri slip through their fingers. The disputed Adoagyiri town is just a stone throw from Accra, the national capital. It will, therefore, be easy for any disturbances in the town to spill over to Accra.

This will certainly send a wrong signal to the world that Ghana is no more a safe place to visit. The Chronicle is, therefore, appealing to both the Kotoku and Abuakwa paramount stools to ceasefire and use due process of the law to resolve their dispute. If the case is already not in court, then we advise both parties to do so.

The Chronicle does not think that the exchange of harsh words through press conferences will help in the resolution of the issue. Because of the Bawku conflict, both the military and police are overstretched. Kotoku and Abuakwa should not, therefore, come and add on to the problem.

If both traditional areas are claiming ownership of the disputed town, then it means they have enough proof to back their respective claims. We, therefore, suggest to them to put these evidences before the law courts for the latter to determine who really owns Adoagyiri lands. The Chronicle is also suggesting to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to call the paramount chiefs from both traditional areas who are also members of the House to order.

As we reported yesterday, the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament aborted their planned visit to Bawku on Monday, this week, due to insecurity. Should we, as a nation, sit down for the Adoagyiri issue to also degenerate into something else? The answer is obviously NO, and that is why we must all put our shoulders to the wheel to ensure that there is peace at Adoagyiri.