Intervene in Akwamu dispute - Government urged

Akwamu (ER), Sept. 15, GNA - Nana Amo Bekae, Acting President of the Akwamu Traditional Council, on Wednesday appealed to the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council (ERCC) to intervene to solve the protracted chieftaincy dispute that had stalled the outdooring of a new Paramount chief for the area.

Nana Bekae said although the Constitution prevented the Government's involvement in chieftaincy disputes, efforts at resolving the protracted dispute had not been successful therefore, "the Government's intervention is urgently required to resolve the dispute." He made the appeal when Mr Yaw Barimah, Eastern Regional Minister, paid a maiden visit to Akwamufie, capital town of the Akwamus in the Asuogyaman District.

The dispute was the result of objection by a faction of the Akwamu Royal family that opposed the candidate nominated to succeed Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, who died 13 years ago.

Nana Bekae said "we are aware that the Government is not permitted to meddle in chieftaincy disputes but we are requesting the ERCC to liaise with the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Region House of Chiefs to expedite action on the dispute." He said efforts had been made to resolve the dispute but had not been successful therefore, more assistance was needed for an amicable solution to the dispute.

The Acting President said " it is no longer a secret that Akwamu is entangled in litigation over the years. The case has been pending at the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Region House of Chiefs for sometime now." He said other issues that needed attention was the land dispute between the Traditional Council over the location of Juapong township and called for the establishment of a Presidential Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the issue. Nana Bekae said payment of compensation for lands acquired by the Volta River Authority (VRA) for the construction of the Akosombo dam and intermittent power outages in the area were other problems affecting the people.

Mr Barimah pledged to initiate dialogue among the parties involved in the dispute to find an amicable solution. He said "the dispute is not a fitting testimony for the late Odeneho Kwafo Akoto who was involved in socio-economic development in the area and appointed a Presidential Adviser.

Mr Barimah said the ERCC had made provision for logistics and resources to solve the dispute and appealed to the people to assist the Government develop the area. The Regional Minister was accompanied by his Deputy Miss Susana Mensah and Mr S.A. Manu, Regional Co-ordinating Director. 15 Sept.05