The Kingmakers At The Media Briefing Yesterday
Seven out of the eleven kingmakers of the Asona royal family of the Akuapem stool in the Eastern Region, have kicked against the decision of the queen mother, Nana Afua Nketia Obuo II, to nominate Odehye Kwasi Akuffo as the next Okuapehene.
According to the kingmakers, Odehye Kwasi Akuffo, known in private circles as Joe Farrel – currently in confinement waiting outdooring as the next Okuapehene – was not nominated in the rightful way to succeed the late Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa II, who ruled for 41 years until his demise a couple of years ago.
The kingmakers held a news conference at the palace of Osiahene Kwasi Offei Agyemang V, the Krontihene of Akropong, which was addressed by Ohenenana Bennett Osei Opoku. During the briefing, they claimed that it is Odehye Kwadwo Kesse Antwi who should be Okuapehene.
Present at the event were Abrewatia Lily Agyemang, head of the royal Sakyibea family; Nana Osim Kwatia II of Amanokrom; Nana Obirago, Aboasehemea; Nana Mosi Boateng II, Benkum Kyeame; Nana Kwame Donkor Kissiedu II; Nana Kwafo Kraban III, Osomanyawa-Adonten; Nana Okogyeman Krodua II, Ahwerase Mankrado and Abusuapanin Sem, Kodumase.
According to Ohenenana Bennett Osei Opoku, the nominee was supposed to be presented by Abrewatia Lily Agyemang but the queen mother allegedly refused to follow laid down procedures and purportedly conspired with four other kingmakers to nominate Odehye Kwasi Akuffo.
The kingmakers said it was Odehye Kojo Kese Antwi who had been endorsed by them to occupy the vacant stool.
Nana Afua Nketia Obuo II, last week held a press conference at Akropong to state her position in the ongoing tussle over who should become the paramount chief of the traditional area, where she affirmed the nomination of Odehye Kwasi Akuffo as the person to succeed Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa II.
The kingmakers posited that it is Nana Kwasi Omenako II, Akuapem Asonahene; Nana Kwao Kutruku, Akuapem Frankatuhene; Nana Okromansa Amoah, Akuapem Twafohene and the queen mother who are among the kingmakers, who are entitled to install a chief for the paramountcy.
“The queen mother never agreed with gazetted Aberewatia of the Sakyibea gate. Rather she maneuvered to liaise with some other Mmeampanyinfo in the Sakyibea gate for a different candidate, which she has imposed and installed without any proper and customary nomination,” they claimed, adding, “The queen mother did not comfortably meet with her advisory body to decide on the ‘Ahenetoto’ for the nomination.
“On the said Tuesday, 5th December, 2017, while the kingmakers were waiting for a change of the venue of the meeting for the performance of the customary nomination, we had an information that the queen mother was installing her candidate. We were at a loss and astonished because there was no nomination or election before the said installation was haphazardly performed, contrary to the norms, customs, tradition and usages of Akuapem,” the kingmakers said.
Asonahene’s Reaction
In the ensuing controversy, Nana Kwasi Omenako II, has explained that the eleven chiefs who contribute to the whole process of enstoolment of a new king, have different levels of authority and importance.
“Some of the eleven chiefs who are collectively described as kingmakers are advisors,” he explained.
He emphasized that the queen mother and the Asonahene are key in the enstoolment process and can never be taken for granted.
FROM Daniel Bampoe, Akropong