One of the elders pouring libation to signify the distoolment of the Abusuapanin
The chief and people of Konkonuru near Aburi in the Eastern Region have said they have removed their head of family Abusuapanin Aboa Yaw Ayesu from his position over alleged misbehaviour and abuse of his stewardship.
The purported destoolment took place at Konkonuru last Sunday after they claimed their Abusuapanin had been selling all their lands without recourse to the families, but DAILY GUIDE was told that the action was ‘unlawful’.
The three ruling houses at Konkonuru that took the decision included Okem, Boakyewaa and Yaa Amoah and according to them they had already sent the limb of a ram to his residence at Aburi to signify the end of the purported formal destoolment process.
At a news conference at Konkonuru, the leaders of the town poured libation and later slaughtered a ram to indicate that they had destooled the Abusuapanin.
A statement read on behalf of the people by Nana Addo Mensah II, Chief of Konkonuru and Akuapim Adonten Gyaase said “for the past 11 years, Abusuapanin Aboa Yaw Ayesu has not been to the town,” adding that “he has been selling our lands including our ancestral cemetery to prospective developers.”
“He openly created tension in the town as he has invited people to demarcate lands and erect pillars. Farmers are sometimes attacked when they go to their farms,” the agitated chief and people claimed.
“On his installation, he swore an oath to respond to calls but has refused to meet the elders unless the invitation is put in writing,” they said, adding “he was invited to discuss issues concerning the town and his response was that there is no elderly person in the town who qualifies to invite him.
“There are three ruling houses at Konkonuru but he claims there is only one house which is Okem and we find that to be an affront to our customs and traditions.”
According to the Konkonuru elder, the Abusuapanin “does not respect the Adonten overlord Otubuor Djan Kwasi II, adding that “Abusuapanin Aboah Yaw without counselling the principal elders of the town sells lands belonging to the town on his sole right and does not make account on the proceeds to anyone.”
“He has generally looked down on the people and shows gross disrespect to anyone who comes into contact with him,” adding “he has neglected the town and does not perform any duties in his role as Abusuapanin.”
The position of the Abusuapanin is a reserve of members of the Aduana Abrade family and since he has disassociated himself from the family he cannot rightfully continue to hold the title Abusuapanin.
When contacted via telephone, Abusuapanin Aboah confirmed that he was aware of the purported action but said he had given the issues to his lawyer to institute legal action against them.
He said he was not at home but when he returned they had left the limb of a ram in the custody of his son.
By William Yaw Owusu