Sefwi youth accuse DCE of meddling in chieftaincy affairs

Sefwi-Wiawso (W/R), May 07, GNA - Members of the Sefwi Youth Association on Friday staged a six-hour demonstration to register their disapproval at what they said was the meddling of Mr Baidoo Appiah-Kubi, the District Chief Executive for Sefwi-Wiawso, in the chieftaincy dispute in Sefwi-Wiawso.

The demonstrators, clad in red, wielded placards some of which read, "DCE, stop meddling in chieftaincy affairs", "assembly is misusing our money", "stop politicising Sefwi-Wiawso chieftaincy issues" and "shame unto you Appiah-Kubi, you have failed us".

The demonstrators, led by their chairman of the association, Mr Kwabena Bennieh, later converged at the forecourt of the Sefwi-Wiawso District Assembly where they presented a resolution to Mr Appiah-Kubi. The seven-point resolution that Mr Bennieh signed called for neutrality of security personnel in the discharge of their duties in relation to the chieftaincy dispute.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after receiving the petition Mr Appiah-Kubi denied the accusations and said neither the District Security Committee (DISEC) nor the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) had taken sides in the chieftaincy dispute. "We have not instructed any policeman or soldier to harass and intimidate innocent citizens neither are there any witch-hunting or taking sides with Nana Okumdom," he said. Mr Appiah-Kubi said the government had, since last year, spent about 1.8 billion cedis on security at the Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Area as a result of the dispute.

He said the persistent nature of the conflict had socio-economic development of the assembly.

"Much of our resources from the common fund are being used to tighten security at the expense of carrying out development projects". The conflict followed the decision of the kingmakers and the queen, Nana Adua Panyin 11, to destool Nana Nkua Okumdom for his alleged disrespect for the elders of the traditional council, and customs and traditions.

The move sparked off communal conflict between factions of the chief and the kingmakers.