Swedruman Council Judicial Committee settles old Zongo dispute

Nana Ogidigram Aseidu Kobina Botwe II, President of the Swedruman Council of Chiefs and Swedruhene has warned residents of Swedru Old Zongo to deist from acts that could incite violence.

He said the Swedruman Council of Chief would not hesitate to apply stiffer sanctions against any resident of Zongo who would flout traditional rules and norms.

Nana Botwe gave the warning when a five–member Judicial Committee appointed to settle a chieftaincy dispute between Nana Salifu Daafi III and some elders presented a copy of its report to him.

He said the first Zongo Chief who came to settle in the area was able to stay peacefully with Nana Kobina Botwe I, and wanted his successor to follow in the same manner to ensure peaceful co-existence among them.

The Chairman of the Committee, Abusuapanyin Gyedu said investigations revealed that the land in dispute was procured by the first Zongo Chief, Wangara Daafi from the Chief of Agona Swedru about 100 years ago.

It also came out that the first Zongo Chief doubled up as the Imam of the Muslim community and after his death the two portfolios were separated and a new chief installed.

Confusion and violence nearly sparked off between the chief and some elders when Nana Daafi III decided to levy them towards the development of the Zongo community.

The committee recommended that the residents of the area be made to pay some token amount to the chief for developmental projects.

It warned that Swedruman Council would never countenance any person claiming that he or she is the chief of Swedru Old Zongo apart from Nana Salifu Daafi III.

The report, therefore, called on the chiefs, Assembly member, Unit Committee members, opinion leaders and other stakeholders at the Zongo to do everything possible to bring peace and stability to the area.

It said Nana Salifu Daafi was also a member of Swedruman Council of Chiefs and should be accorded that dignity by residents of the Zongo community.