Tension mounting in Nkoranza as new chief is enstooled

Tension is mounting at Nkoranza in the Bono East Region where a 38-year-old accountant, one Kwaku Soro, has been enstooled as the chief of the town despite an ongoing mediation effort by Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The Nkoransa Traditional Council has been without a paramount chief following the death of Okatakyie Agyemang Kodom IV, three years ago.

The decision on who to succeed the late chief has become a problem, leading to the closure of the Nkoranza chief’s palace.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who oversees the Nkoranza Traditional Area, has been trying to resolve the stalemate.

But even before the Asantehene could settle the matter, Kwaku Soro has been enstooled as the new chief, heightening tension in the town.

Queenmother of the Nkoranza Traditional Council, Nana Adutwumwaa Kudaa Kani II, at a news conference in Nkoranza, questioned the legitimacy of Kwaku Soro, indicating he has not been endorsed by the kingmakers in the Traditional Area.

“The Nkoransa stool is for Otumfuo, he said he is travelling and when he returns he would come and settle the issue if you could not wait and went ahead to enstool. I am saying that it would not hold,” she stated.

She reminded inhabitants of Nkoranza and its environs that the enstoolment of Kwaku Soro by the Ankobeahene is against the customary rites of the Nkoranza Traditional Council.

“I have not seen such thing before. I was well trained and I respect our culture and do not go against our culture. When I am enstooling a Chief I involve everyone. So I am surprised that Nkoransa do not know the customs.

“If I do not come out to say something about what they did, they would say I know something about it. I know anything about it; it is before Otumfuo,” Nana Kani II said.

The linguist to the Queenmother, Nana Atta Fosu Owusu Ababio, who is also the Asaamaahene of Nkoransa Traditional Council, entreated the youth not to defy the customs and traditions of the land, and remain calm for a peaceful resolution of the impasse.