The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has officially destooled Baffour Asiedu Bekoe as the Akwansrahene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, who was also in charge of the Okyeman Land Protection Taskforce.
The destoolment ceremony took place at the Ofori Panin Fie in Kyebi, Eastern Region, where traditional rites were performed to mark his removal.
As part of the destoolment process, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council conducted a purification ritual, including the slaughtering of a sheep and the pouring of libation, to symbolize the severance of his ties with the chieftaincy title.
Baffour Asiedu Bekoe a former Assembly Member had held the position for four years before his removal.
According to the Kyebihene, who is also Abontendomhene of Akyem Abuakwa, Osabarima Marfo Okwabrane, the decision to strip Baffour Asiedu Bekoe of his title was due to his persistent engagement in uncustomary conduct, despite multiple warnings from traditional authorities.
He said the former Akwansrahene’s actions undermined the values and responsibilities of his role, prompting the Okyenhene to destroy.
Starr News has gathered that the Akwansrahene abused his powers to perpetrate alleged illegal confiscation and sale of lands using the name of Okyenhene which brought disrepute to the stool.
The destoolment is seen as a move to uphold discipline and tradition within the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area.
However, Baffour Asiedu Bekoe has contested the circumstances of his removal, insisting that he had already resigned before the destoolment ceremony.
“I officially resigned four days before the destoolment ceremony. I personally submitted schnapps to Osabarima Marfo Okwabrane at his palace as a traditional sign of my resignation,” Bekoe told reporters.
He further alleged that internal sabotage by fellow chiefs was the real reason behind his exit, adding that certain individuals had orchestrated events to damage his reputation.
