MP appeals for calm at Akim Oda

Accra (Greater Accra) 9th June ?99

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, MP for Akim Oda, on Tuesday appealed for calm and restraint from both factions in the chieftaincy dispute which started after the installation of the new Omanhene of Akim Kotoku Traditional Area.

In a statement to the House, Mr Osafo-Maafo, who is a ranking member of the Minority, appealed to all citizens of the traditional area to contribute positively to peace by refraining from any act of violence, since peace and stability are essential ingredients for development.

He called on the Police and the Army to avoid any act, which could trigger off violence saying "we must all take inspiration from the peaceful manner the Asantes installed Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as Asantehene, recently".

Mr Osafo-Maafo told the House that at the installation of the Omanhene of the traditional area on May 31, this year, following the death and burial of the late Okoforbour Agyeman Attafua IV, violent clashes erupted between opposing factions resulting in seven people, including a policeman receiving injuries.

Most of the injured suffered from gun-shot-wounds.

He urged the District Security Council, (DISEC) the Police and the Army, on the ground, to ensure fairness and impartiality to both factions in the dispute.

"It is common knowledge that traditional issues are better resolved through discussions and negotiations rather than by force", Mr Osafo-Maafo said.

Members, who supported the statement, said there is the need for peace and tranquillity to prevail in the traditional area, saying it was only in such an atmosphere that development could take place.

Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, NPP-Akim Swedru, said it was not too late for the factional leaders in the dispute to sit down and resolve their differences amicably.

Alhaji Yakubu Malik Al-Hassan, NPP-Yendi, said it was the prayer of all Ghanaians that such disruptive and violent clashes would cease.

Since it is the constitutional mandate for the Police to ensure law and order when such conflicts erupt, "we as a nation should equip the Police adequately to enable them to play this traditional role effectively".

Mr Francis Kwame Nyarko, NPP-Kade, noted that in a space of about one year, the Akims have lost three paramount chiefs and said the installation of the Omanhene of Akim Kotoku should have been a source of happiness for the people, but regrettably, it had rather engendered violence.

He, therefore, called for peace during the forthcoming installation of the paramount chiefs of Akim Bosome and Akim Abuakwa traditional areas.

Mr Akuamoah Ofosu-Boateng, NDC-Lower West Akim, said the factions in the dispute should have taken a cue from "our brothers from Ashanti and resisted all acts of violence".

Mr Ofosu-Boateng, who is also a Minister of State at the President's Office, therefore, urged all parties concerned in the chieftaincy dispute to exercise restraint and create an atmosphere of peace in the area.