Traditional ruler drags Brong-Ahafo House of Chiefs to court

A traditional ruler has filed a writ at the Sunyani High Court to nullify a verdict by the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs to withdraw his representation in the house.

Nana Yaw Amankwaa II, Benkumhene and Acting President of the Kwatwoma Traditional Council said his removal from the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs is a breach of the Chieftaincy Act 2008, (Act 759) and the Chieftaincy Proceedings and Functions Council’s Regulations L.I 798.

An accompanying affidavit filed by Nana Obiri Boahen of the “Enso Nyame Ye Chambers”, Counsel for the plaintiff, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani described Nana Amkawaah’s withdrawal from house as a breach of natural justice rule.

It is also seeking an order from the court to prohibit the Regional House of Chiefs and the Kwatwoma Traditional Council from replacing the plaintiff with one Nana Anko Acheampong at the house.

According to the affidavit, the Kwatwoma Traditional Council in accordance and in due compliance with tradition, convention and customs appointed the Nana Amankwaah II as the Acting President of the Council and represent it at the house after the death of the late Nana Kwame Tene II, Chief of Seketia.

It said since the plaintiff had been attending meetings at the Regional House of Chiefs regularly, representing the Kwatwoma Traditional Council until he was served with a letter on May 24, purported to have been written on the instructions of the traditional council and a subsequent letter from the Regional House of Chiefs terminating his representation from the house.

“The Regional House of Chiefs and the Kwatwoma Traditional Council have no basis to remove me as the Acting President of the Traditional Council because ever since my appointment, I have discharged my duties consistently and conscientiously”, the affidavit added.

It noted that “the conduct and behaviour of the standing committee of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs is not only unpardonable but also unacceptable, unfair, breach of natural justice rule, and same sins against tradition and custom”.