Why the Fiapre Traditional Council turned to Otumfuo for chieftaincy elevation despite being in Bono Region
The Fiapre Traditional Council has explained their decision to reunite with the Asanteman and seek the elevation of their chief to paramountcy, despite being located in the Bono Region.
Four different royal families within the Fiapre Bofrese Aduana family have come together to support this move.
According to the traditional authorities, the decision to join the Asanteman dates back to the tenure of their late chief, Nana Poku.
The traditional authorities explained that they had long sought to elevate their chieftaincy through the Bono House of Chiefs but were unsuccessful, prompting them to seek the intervention of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in the Asante Region.
“In 2014, Nana Poku wrote a letter to the Bono House of Chiefs, and they responded that Fiapre is not under any divisional chief in the Bono Region or any paramount chief. We asked them to elevate our status for national recognition, but the Bono House of Chiefs never responded.
“So, our chief and the queen mother called all the family members before we headed to Manhyia for the meeting,” explained Nana Damte Akom Adomako, a member of the royal family.
Nana Damte also addressed Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II’s assertion that he would resist Otumfuo’s elevation of Fiapre. “For the Dormaahene to say that he won’t allow Otumfuo to elevate us… Otumfuo will, by all means, elevate us to paramountcy,” he stated.
Bofrese Adehyea Abusuapanin Nana Ampaabeng Kyeremeh commented on the opposition from some family members regarding their decision to join the Asanteman.
“We have met here to address the ongoing confusion between Fiapre and Manhyia’s visit.
“What I want to say is that Fiapre didn’t just decide to join forces with the Asanteman. Our late chief, Nana Poku, paved the way by going to the Asanteman, but unfortunately, he passed away. Our new chief, Obrempong Professor Kyem Amponsah II, followed the same route by going to the Asantehene when he was installed.
“There have been several discussions and measures taken for the paramountcy, but still to no avail. So, we decided to take a step to Asanteman for our freedom. The Asantehene then called all four royal families and informed us of his decision. The family met and agreed on that in Kumasi.”
He reiterated, “We want to emphasize that the decision was taken by the entire four royal families. Later, certain nephews of the family began ranting on social media about the decision.”
Abusuapanin EK Ofori also added that the decision of the royal family is final.
However, it may be recalled that Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II has stated that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, lacks the authority to install a paramount chief at Fiapre, a town in the Sunyani West Municipal in the Bono Region.
Addressing his community members over the weekend, Nana Agyeman Badu II noted that the Asantehene is recognized as a paramount chief by Ghana’s constitution and that a paramount chief cannot install another paramount chief on land that does not fall under his kingship.
According to the Dormaahene, the Fiaprehene owes allegiance to the paramount chief of Odumase, who exercises control over Fiapre.
Nana Agyeman Badu vowed to resist any attempt by Otumfuo to install a chief at Fiapre and indicated his readiness to risk his life for it.
He appealed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu, stating that his actions are leading to divisions among the chiefs in the Bono Region and that he must be wary of his actions.
On the other hand, the Odumase Number One Traditional Council in the Sunyani West Municipality has cautioned the Fiapre Divisional Council against its decision to swear an oath of allegiance to the Asantehene and the Asanteman Council.
TWI NEWS
The Traditional Council, presided over by Odumfour Dr. Kwasi Apraku, insisted that the Fiapre stool lands are part of the Odumase Traditional Area. Addressing a news conference at Odumase, the municipal capital, Nana Adanse Poduo II, the Paramount Queen-mother of Odumase Number One, said the council was aware of and had followed the procedures being taken by the Fiaprehene, Obrempong Professor Kyem Amponsah II, to swear allegiance to the Golden Stool (Sikadwa) of the Asanteman Council.
AM/BB
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