Dormaa-Ahenkro (Brong Ahafo), 1 March, ?99 --The Dormaa traditional council has said that the suicide bid by the queenmother, Nana Akosua Ansuaa Ababio, on February 22 this year, has nothing to do with the search for a successor to the late Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman-Badu. The council said in a statement that its members had enjoyed cordial and trusted working relationship with the Queenmother until the unfortunate incident "which could best be described as one of the tragedies of life", and not the result of any betrayal. The statement, read by Barima Ansu-Adjei, Dormaa Krontihene and acting president of the council, at a press conference attended by all members of the council at Dormaa-Ahenkro yesterday was in reaction to a front- page story of the Ghanaian Times of February 26, 1999 about the Queenmother. The story alleged that the Queenmother attempted to kill herself with a bread knife on learning that her son, whom she had nominated to be the next Dormaahene might be rejected by the kingmakers. Barima Ansu-Adjei said as at the time of the incident, Nana Ansuaa Ababio, who has the traditional right to nominate a candidate to the paramount stool, had not yet nominated any royal or her son for consideration. "There has never been any occasion since the death and burial of the late Dormaahene when we the king makers had purposely met with the Queenmother for her nomination of a successor to the stool" Barima Ansu- Adjei added. He said the so-called betrayal of the Queen mother by some ?trusted king makers,? as alleged in the news item, cannot be said to be the underlying factor for the suicide attempt. Barima Ansu-Adjei said the council "registers its strongest protest against the news item which had sought to connect the unfortunate incident with the affairs of the traditional council and for that matter, king makers". Citing efforts being made to find an occupant to the vacant paramount stool, Barima Ansu-Adjei said that on December nine, 1998, a delegation of the kingmakers sought audience with the Queenmother. The purpose was to cordially prompt her to start consultations among the two royal houses with the view to selecting a suitable candidate, but her suggestion that this should be done after the first anniversary of the death of Nana Agyeman-Badu on February 12 was accepted. Two days after the anniversary celebration, Barima Ansu- Adjei said the kingmakers met the Queenmother again and proposed March 28 as possible date for the installation of a new Dormaahene. He said the Queenmother again pleaded for more time to enable her to do her homework properly since she had not met with leading members of the royal houses. "The news of her attempted suicide on February 22 therefore came as a surprise to all". Barima Ansu Adjei said in future, matters relating to chieftaincy within the traditional area should be cleared with the appropriate traditional authority before publication to avoid any confusion and embarrassment to the entire people of the traditional area.
Dormaa-Ahenkro (Brong Ahafo), 1 March, ?99 --The Dormaa traditional council has said that the suicide bid by the queenmother, Nana Akosua Ansuaa Ababio, on February 22 this year, has nothing to do with the search for a successor to the late Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman-Badu. The council said in a statement that its members had enjoyed cordial and trusted working relationship with the Queenmother until the unfortunate incident "which could best be described as one of the tragedies of life", and not the result of any betrayal. The statement, read by Barima Ansu-Adjei, Dormaa Krontihene and acting president of the council, at a press conference attended by all members of the council at Dormaa-Ahenkro yesterday was in reaction to a front- page story of the Ghanaian Times of February 26, 1999 about the Queenmother. The story alleged that the Queenmother attempted to kill herself with a bread knife on learning that her son, whom she had nominated to be the next Dormaahene might be rejected by the kingmakers. Barima Ansu-Adjei said as at the time of the incident, Nana Ansuaa Ababio, who has the traditional right to nominate a candidate to the paramount stool, had not yet nominated any royal or her son for consideration. "There has never been any occasion since the death and burial of the late Dormaahene when we the king makers had purposely met with the Queenmother for her nomination of a successor to the stool" Barima Ansu- Adjei added. He said the so-called betrayal of the Queen mother by some ?trusted king makers,? as alleged in the news item, cannot be said to be the underlying factor for the suicide attempt. Barima Ansu-Adjei said the council "registers its strongest protest against the news item which had sought to connect the unfortunate incident with the affairs of the traditional council and for that matter, king makers". Citing efforts being made to find an occupant to the vacant paramount stool, Barima Ansu-Adjei said that on December nine, 1998, a delegation of the kingmakers sought audience with the Queenmother. The purpose was to cordially prompt her to start consultations among the two royal houses with the view to selecting a suitable candidate, but her suggestion that this should be done after the first anniversary of the death of Nana Agyeman-Badu on February 12 was accepted. Two days after the anniversary celebration, Barima Ansu- Adjei said the kingmakers met the Queenmother again and proposed March 28 as possible date for the installation of a new Dormaahene. He said the Queenmother again pleaded for more time to enable her to do her homework properly since she had not met with leading members of the royal houses. "The news of her attempted suicide on February 22 therefore came as a surprise to all". Barima Ansu Adjei said in future, matters relating to chieftaincy within the traditional area should be cleared with the appropriate traditional authority before publication to avoid any confusion and embarrassment to the entire people of the traditional area.
