Aduana Family refutes breakaway claims, affirms allegiance to Okyenhene

Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The Principal Elders and Kingmakers of the Aduana family in Etwereso and Osenase in the Eastern Region have called on members of the family, both at home and abroad, as well as the general public, to disregard claims suggesting that the Odau group has broken away from the Akyem Abuakwa State.

Addressing a press conference at Etwereso, the Head of the Aduana Family in Osenase, Opanyin Kwabena Aniagyei, reaffirmed the family’s unwavering loyalty to the Ofori Panin Stool and its occupant, the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.

At the gathering, members of the family displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as: “Okyeman Tease,” “Odau Man Is Not For Ayebiahwe,” “Okyenhene Is Our Overlord,” “Osei Afrifa Is An Imposter,” “Osei Afrifa: Go Back To Asante Juaso,” “Etwereso Is Still Part Of Akyem Abuakwa,” and “Our Ancestors Served The Ofori Panin Stool; So Shall We,” among others.

Odauman breaks away from Akyem Abuakwa after 300-year alliance collapses

The family described an earlier press conference by a section of individuals in Etwereso, whom they claim are largely not from Akyem, as fraudulent, particularly the declaration of Odau as an independent state or traditional council.

They further alleged that the individual who spoke at the said press conference, Osei Afrifa, is not a member of the Aduana family.

“We have heard and watched with dismay the statement and video authored by a certain spokesperson for the Aduana family, Osei Afrifa, declaring a breakaway and independence of the Odau group from Akyem Abuakwa. Their declaration is fraudulent. That man is an imposter. Osei Afrifa is from Asante Juaso and is never a member or elder of the Aduana family. He does not belong to our family in Osenase or Etwereso, so how can someone from Juaso declare a breakaway for us? He is an impersonator and we shall take steps to deal with him in accordance with the law,” Opanyin Kwabena Aniagyei stated.

The family also raised concerns about Afrifa’s alleged background in traditional leadership in Asante Juaso.

“Our information is that this Osei Afrifa is the Nkosuohene at Asante Juaso. He is not a member of our family, but Ayebiahwe installed him as his Twafohene and is using him to sow division between Asante and Akyem people. We assure him that he will not succeed,” the family added.

Opanyin Kwabena Aniagyei stressed that the Aduana family in Osenase and Etwereso dissociates itself from what he described as divisive and treasonable actions against Okyeman, reaffirming its commitment to preserving its traditions and unity.

He further explained that, contrary to claims by the breakaway group, Odau does not predate Akyem Abuakwa.

“Akyem Abuakwa existed in the 1300s, centuries before Odau emerged. The Odau group sought refuge in Akyem Abuakwa from Asante retribution. We settled in various communities within the Akyem Abuakwa State, including Banka, Chia, Boadua, and Pramkese, among others, providing intelligence support to the Akyem army. These are historical facts,” he noted.

The family reiterated its allegiance to the Okyenhene, stating that no authority can sever their long-standing traditional bond with the Ofori Panin Stool.

Finally, Opanyin Aniagyei indicated that the family would soon determine the fate of the Etweresohene over what they describe as treasonable conduct, and pursue both legal and customary processes to resolve the matter.