Manhyia Palace reacts to violence near the palace

Kumasi, Aug 6, GNA - The Manhyia Palace in Kumasi has stated that there was no chieftaincy dispute at Atwima-Agogo near Kumasi and that there was no violence in the palace.

A statement issued and signed by Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, Media Relations Manager at the palace at the weekend said the chief of Atwima-Agogo, Nana Okyere Poku, had no case pending before the Kumasi Traditional Council.

The statement was in reaction to publications that violence erupted at the Manhyia Palace during an attempt by a faction to destool Nana Okyere Poku.

It said the presence of Nana Okyere Poku at the palace last Thursday was to attend routine meetings of the council that normally comes off on Mondays and Thursdays.

The statement said the violence that occurred had no bearing on the traditional council's sitting.

"It happened outside the precincts of the traditional council court. At that time the council had not started the day's session and most of the chiefs did not even hear about what happened until after the sitting."

The statement said the issue was an attempt by some unidentified persons to manhandle the chief apparently to settle scores but he was "shepherded to safety by the Manhyia Palace security".

It said it was after Nana Okyere Poku had left the scene that the fighting occurred between the unidentified persons and some of his supporters at the open space in front of the palace.

The statement said the Kumasi Traditional Council had a laid down customary procedure for adjudication of cases and that any aggrieved persons should use that appropriate channel to resolve issues.

The statement gave the assurance that enough security measures including the use of CCTV cameras had been put in place at the palace to ensure the safety of individuals.

It said the incident was captured on the CCTV cameras and that the clip would be made available to the security agencies to help in investigations.