Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua
The Kumawu Traditional Council (KTC) has vehemently denied claims that the traditional authority has no legitimate chief.
According to the council, recent media reports and that two people have laid claim to the Kumawu Kodua Stool were not only false but a figment of the imagination of some people.
In a statement signed by the Registrar of KTC, Benjamin Yamoa Manu, the council said Kumawu has a paramount chief in the person of Barima Sarfo Twereboa Kodua, who was gazetted in the National Register of Chiefs of the National House of Chiefs after he was enstooled according to customs and traditions of Asanteman.
“The Omanhene of Kumawu has been gazetted in the Ghana Bulletin. Barima Sarfo Twereboa Kodua has also been initiated by the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs as a member of the House and performs various functions in that capacity,” the statement said.
It added, “The Council wants to place it on record that Barima Sarfo Twereboa Kodua was enstooled as the 24th Omanhene of the Kumawu Traditional Area and therefore duly recognized by the Asanteman Council.”
The statement pointed out that Barima Sarfo Twereboa Kodua has also taken custody of all the regalia, the palace, adding that all the Kumawu Stool lands had been vested in him as allodial title holder.
On the ascension to the stool, the Kumawu Traditional Council (KTC), said the Omanhene selected people to occupy all the vacant stools of sub-chiefs in line with customs and traditions without any hitches to the admiration of the Council and the people.
“Kumawu has a legitimate chief duly recognized by the appropriate bodies and persons, including the overlord of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the government and development agencies,” the statement added.
It indicated that there was no rival chief as far as members of the council were concerned and wondered why some people could make such statements.
It added that any person who claims to be the Omanhene should be seen as an imposter.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi