Six chiefs withdraw from Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council

Gomoa Afransi (C/R), Feb. 6, GNA - Six chiefs in Gomoa have decided to withdraw from the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council following a misunderstanding between them and the Paramount Chief, Obrempong Nyarful Krampah XI.

They are Ogyedom Obranu Kwesi Atta XI, chief of Gomoa Afransi, Nana Kwaa Prah VI, chief of Gomoa Dahom, Nana OKuru Baah V, chief of Achiase, Nana Gyetuah 1, chief of Gomoa, Afedu Nyarko, III, chief of Gomoa Lome and Nana Efuah Kobah II, chief of Gomoa Gyaman.

Addressing a press conference at Gomoa Afransi, Ogyedom Obranu Kwesi Atta XI, spokesman for the chiefs, said the statement by the Omanhene that he had distooled the six chiefs does not exist in the history of Gomoa.

He said it was unlawful, frivolous, vexation and bogus, since it was not allowed by the Chieftaincy Act 759, especially section 40, sub section 2 and 3 on the right to bring proceedings for deposition. He said the law states that a traditional council shall not declare a chief liable to be deposed unless in accordance with subsection 3.

It states that a chief can be distooled after the Judicial Committee of a traditional council has considered the charges against the chief and found him liable to be deposed.

Ogyedom Obranu Kwesi Atta said except where deposition is accepted without challenge and subject to an appeal, a chief is not deposed, unless deposition charges have been instituted against him.

He said the Omanhene’s action “is a potential recipe for chaos, disunity and unnecessary fight and bloodshed amongst the people of Gomoa. The Omanhene does not have, neither locus nor clout, to destool a chief, especially, stools which are just members of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council like ours”.

Ogyedom Obranu Kwesi Atta said the chiefs had asked their legal counsel to take steps to inform the National House of Chiefs through the Central Regional House of Chiefs about the development.

When the GNA contacted Obrempong Nyarful Krampah about the matter he said the traditional council had expelled them for planning to create a paramountcy, which is against the Chieftaincy Act.

He said the council had ordered heads of families of the affected six chiefs to submit fresh names to be enstooled by the Council.