Committee presents report

Sekondi, Feb.7, GNA- The seven-member reconciliation committee appointed by the Western Regional House of Chiefs to delve into certain chieftaincy disputes in the region with the view to settling them, presented its report on the Essikado paramountcy to the House on Wednesday.

Kasapreko Kwame Basanyin III, President of the House received the report presented by Mr Joseph Sam Appiah, a retired civil servant and chairman of the committee appointed about six months ago. He expressed the house's gratitude to members for their dedication and sacrifices to deliberate on sensitive issues to ensure that peace and unity returned to the community.

The protracted dispute between two factions of the royal family, namely the Kayie lineage, led by Nana Aba Asafuaba I, Queenmother and the Adjoa Ackon Lineage also led by Madam Anna Budu Arthur, was one of the teething problems of the house of chiefs.

The dispute was over the nomination and instalment of Nana Kobina Nketia VI, the present occupant of the Essikado paramount stool. Until the appointment of the reconciliation commission, the case was pending before the Sekondi High Court, but had to be discontinued at the instance of the Regional House of Chiefs with the consent of the two parties for amicable settlement.

Most Reverend John Martin Darko, Catholic Bishop of Sekondi diocese, co-chairman of the committee urged the house to speed up the implementation of its recommendations to ensure lasting peace among the people of Essikado.

Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, Omanhene of Nsein traditional area and member of the standing committee of the House said the House now has been relieved of a burden owing to the very sensitive nature of the problem and commended members for their hard work.

Other members of the committee were Madam Georgina Bus-Kwofie, former district chief executive for Ahanta West, Mrs Rebecca Dadzie, Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan director of education, Mr. Paul Damoah, a businessman, Dr. Emmanuel Kwaw, a private medical practitioner, and Reverend Father John Kennedy Mensah, Catholic priest.