Tension soaring at Afari over installation of chief

Afari (Ash), Dec. 9, GNA - Soaring tension has forced the cancellation of the installation of a new chief of Afari, a sprawling community in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region. The people insisted that Nana Kwadwo Asamoah had no legitimate title to the stool and vowed to violently resist any attempt to enstool him. Armed with clubs, machete, stones and other offensive weapons and clad in red, the people massed up on the streets and threatened to lynch the chief if he set foot in the town.

The Afari Ekuona Stool has been vacant since the death of Nana Akwasi Achampong III, 10 years ago.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, about four years ago set up a three- member committee made up of the chiefs of Asokore-Mampong, Appiedu and Mowire to determine whether Nana Asamoah or one Nana Yaw Bampoe, were qualified to be installed as Afarihene, following their conflicting claims. The committee initially ruled in favour of Nana Bampoe, who was later disqualified, when the people protested that he did not hail from the town. This paved the way for Nana Asamoah, who according to the royal family is also an outsider and therefore unqualified to rule them.

Opanin Kwaku Agyeman, Spokesman of the family said they found it baffling that Nana Asamoah, who openly admitted that he was from the Asona Clan and a citizen from Hiawu-Besease could lay claim to the Ekuona Stool. "This is a complete departure from the Asante customary practice. It is absolutely ridiculous and insulting, "he said. He appealed to the Asantehene to intervene to ensure that the right thing was done to defuse tension and prevent confusion. The Abuakwa Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Benjamin Wordui, who was in the town to assess the security situation called for calm.