Reign of terror, incessant security threats by landguards an affront to our sacred customs - Goma Akyempim-Gomoahemaa

Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, Paramount Queen mother of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, has condemned acts of terror and insecurity posed by persons who parade themselves as landguards.

She explained that the actions of these people compound the insecurity of the nation, and in particular, her immediate jurisdiction.

Addressing this subject in a statement made available to GhanaWeb, Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I stressed that these actions contravene the sacred customs and practices of the traditional area and will not be tolerated.

"We strongly condemn the reign of terror and incessant security threats posed by landguards in the Gomoa Traditional Areas, particularly within the Twafo Division under the Gomoa Fetteh Stool. This lawlessness has been exacerbated by the indiscriminate conferment of chieftaincy titles and offices by the destooled Omanhen, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobia II, from his private residence. Such unilateral actions are a direct affront to our sacred customs and practices and undermine the legitimate traditional governance structures.

"Accordingly, I hereby declare that any engagements with these self-styled 'Chiefs' concerning matters of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area are null and void. Individuals who choose to engage with them do so at their own risk, as these persons lack any lawful standing or authority within our traditional jurisdiction," she said in the statement dated Friday, September 13, 2024.

She also called for unity, while announcing that she has performed rites to purify the area of the grave sins committed in the past.

"Furthermore, I announce that Purification Rites have been performed to cleanse the entire Gomoa Akyempim (Assin) Traditional Area of the grave sins committed under the leadership of the destooled Omanhen, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobia II.

"I take this opportunity to invite all individuals claiming chieftaincy titles, as defined by the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759)—which describes a 'Chief' as 'a person, who, hailing from the appropriate family and lineage, has been validly nominated, elected, or selected and enstooled, enskinned, or installed as a chief or queen mother in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage' — to regularize their swearing-in at the Akyempim Ahenfie, the recognized authority located in the ancient traditional capital of Gomoa Assin. This invitation extends to any disputing factions or parties with matters relating to succession and rulership, to resolve their claims in accordance with our time-honored customs and legal frameworks," she added.

Until now, the Omanhemaa had been prevented from performing these rights following de-stooling of embattled Omanhene, Obrifo Ahor Ahunako Ankobia II.

Since his ascension in 2001, Omanhene Obrifo Ahor Ahunako Ankobia II’s reign has been characterized by actions perceived as eroding customs and threatening the stability of the community.

Among his most controversial decisions was the unilateral relocation of the Traditional Headquarters from Gomoa Assin to his private residence in Gomoa Buduatta.

Read the full statement from the Omanhemaa of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area below:

PRESS RELEASE

Gomoa Assin-Central Region, Ghana.

Friday, 13 September 2024

Official Notice Regarding False Claims of Chiefdom in Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area

To Whom It May Concern,

I, Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, Paramount Queenmother of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, write to address a matter of grave concern regarding the misrepresentation and false claims of chiefdom within my Traditional Area.

It has come to my attention that certain individuals have been falsely presenting themselves as chiefs of Gomoa without legitimate authority or recognition from the principal custodians of the Gomoa Akyempim (Assin) Traditional Council, the Central Regional House of Chiefs, or the National House of Chiefs.

These individuals, and their alleged accomplices, have unlawfully claimed chieftaincy authority and engaged in illicit activities. Notably, the destooled Omanhen, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobia II, is implicated as a member of a landguard syndicate, in direct contravention of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which expressly outlaws landguard operations and related activities.

We strongly condemn the reign of terror and incessant security threats posed by landguards in the Gomoa Traditional Areas, particularly within the Twafo Division under the Gomoa Fetteh Stool. This lawlessness has been exacerbated by the indiscriminate conferment of chieftaincy titles and offices by the destooled Omanhen, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobia II, from his private residence. Such unilateral actions are a direct affront to our sacred customs and practices and undermine the legitimate traditional governance structures.

Accordingly, I hereby declare that any engagements with these self-styled “Chiefs” concerning matters of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area are null and void. Individuals who choose to engage with them do so at their own risk, as these persons lack any lawful standing or authority within our traditional jurisdiction.

Furthermore, I announce that Purification Rites have been performed to cleanse the entire Gomoa Akyempim (Assin) Traditional Area of the grave sins committed under the leadership of the destooled Omanhen, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobia II.

I take this opportunity to invite all individuals claiming chieftaincy titles, as defined by the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759)—which describes a “Chief” as “a person, who, hailing from the appropriate family and lineage, has been validly nominated, elected, or selected and enstooled, enskinned, or installed as a chief or queenmother in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage”—to regularize their swearing-in at the Akyempim Ahenfie, the recognized authority located in the ancient traditional capital of Gomoa Assin. This invitation extends to any disputing factions or parties with matters relating to succession and rulership, to resolve their claims in accordance with our time-honored customs and legal frameworks.

I call upon the Central Regional House of Chiefs, the National House of Chiefs, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, National Security, the Ghana Police Service, and all other relevant security agencies to take urgent and decisive actions to protect our esteemed traditional institution from threats of vigilantism, lawlessness, and unauthorized claims to traditional authority.

Your cooperation in safeguarding the integrity and dignity of our cherished cultural heritage is deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I

Paramount Queenmother

Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area

CC’d on Notice

• Central Regional House of Chiefs

• National House of Chiefs

• Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs

• Inspector General of Police, Ghana Police Service

• National Security Secretariat

• Gomoa Akyempim (Assin) Traditional Council

• Central Regional Minister

• Ghana Bar Association

• Office of the Attorney General

• Local Government Authorities of Gomoa Assin

• Media Houses (to ensure public awareness)



AE