Kwaben stool families must cooperate - Council

The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has advised the three families of the Kwaben Stool to exercise mutual understanding in their nomination of a qualified candidate to succeed the late Daasebre Darkwa Woe II.

They are the Kokoben, Mmabaduam and Akwanwini families of the Royal Asona Clan of Kwaben. The late Daasebre Darkwa Woe died four years ago.

A statement made available to the Ghana News Agency on Saturday and signed by Mr Daniel Marfo Ofori Atta, Assistant State Secretary of the Council, said the decision was taken by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council at a meeting held on July 19, 2013, at the Ofori Panin Fie, Kyebi.

The Council noted that members of the Kokoben and Mmabaduam families of Kwaben have equal right to the Kwaben Stool, as well as the Akwanwini family, as stated by the Supreme Court ruling of June 19, 2002.

It said in relation to the Supreme Court decision, with respect to equal rights to succession on rotational basis, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has decided that the next chief of Kwaben must hail either from the Kokoben or Mmadaduam family.

“This is with respect to the fact that the immediate past chief of Kwaben, Daasebre Darkwa Woe and the Akwanwini lineage have occupied the Gyase Stool for a period spanning over one hundred and forty years.”

The Council strongly held that any such candidate must have a peaceful and unifying character with a broad vision to develop Kwaben, as well as enhancing the socio-economic progress of its youth.

“We further urge that effective seven days after the publication and notification of this decision, the Kokoben and Mmadaduam families, in consultation with the Akwanwini family, must present a candidate to the Traditional Council for consideration.”

The Council expressed its gratitude to all parties for their cooperation and urged all sides of the now resolved conflict not to indulge in any act that has the potential of endangering public peace and social harmony.