The late Nene Atsure Benta III
The Mankralo and acting President of the Prampram Traditional Area has been shot to death by some unknown assailants at Appolonia in the Kpone-Katamanso District of the Greater Accra Region.
The deceased, Nene Atsure Benta III, was shot in the head and rib by the armed men at an intersection at Appolonia while on his way from a meeting at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs at Dodowa.
He was found in a pool of blood in the driver’s seat in his Mercedes Benz car with registration number GT 6618 T.
He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the health facility.
Confirming the murder of the traditional ruler who has ruled for almost 25 years, Superintendent Charles Agyei Asiman, Afienya District Police Commander told DAILY GUIDE that “it’s true, he has been shot dead and we have commenced investigation into the incident to bring the perpetrators of the act to book.”
There was uneasy calm in the Prampram Traditional Area last week due to chieftaincy dispute between the late Mankralo, Stool Father of Mankralo and some kingmakers at Prampram which resulted in violent attacks.
The kingmakers were said to have condemned the conduct of the Mankralo over certain traditional blunders they described as sacrilegious.
As a result, the Stool Father, together with some traditional priest and priestess, reportedly performed some traditional rites to destool the Mankralo.
Sources told DAILY GUIDE that a few hours later, well-built men assaulted the Stool Father at his family house (Obonu Wem) at Prampram.
“Well-built men tried to convey the Stool Father to the location to reverse the destoolment, but he refused to perform the rituals,” they said.
However, the Prampram District Police managed to bring the situation under control after responding to the distress call.
Superintendent Issah Mohammed Cantona, Prampram District Police Commander, told DAILY GUIDE that he advised the parties to use legal means to resolve the dispute.
The next day, the Stool Father, together with some elders of Obunu Wem, organised a press conference to announce the destoolment of the Mankralo.
From Vincent Kubi, Tema