There was heavy security presence at Etwereso in the Achiase District of Eastern region Sunday following rising tensions over a chieftaincy dispute in the community.
Eastern South Regional Police Command has deployed a number of armed police officers to the community as some members of the Aduana Royal Family of Osenase and Etwereso gathered at the Etwereso funeral grounds to publicly dissociate themselves from recent claims of a breakaway from the Akyem Abuakwa State.
Addressing the media amidst heavy security presence in the Etwereso, representatives of the principal stool elders of the Aduana Royal Family said they dissociate themselves from announcement made by Barfuor Osei Afrifa, Twafohene on behalf of Odauhene that Etwereso and Odauman were breaking away from the Akyem Abuakwa State.
The family stated that from time immemorial, the Etwereso stool has remained subordinate to the Ofori Panin Stool, adding that Odau is a sub-stool of the Ofori Panin Stool, and that the Okyenhene remains the allodial owner of lands in Akyem Abuakwa, including Etwereso and Osenase.
According to the family, no chief has the authority to unilaterally sever the longstanding traditional allegiance between Etwereso and the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council describing the alleged declaration as uncustomary, unlawful, and treasonable.
“The Okyenhene is the allodial owner of all hands in Akyem Abuakwa including Etwereso and Osenase. No Chief, however loud his voice or bold his declarations, can sever what customs and ancestry have joined together over these centuries” they stated.
The family further stated that the actions of Odauhene Odeneho Ayebiahwe, whom they accused of spearheading the move, could plunged the community into conflict.
In a direct appeal, Nana Aduboahene ,the Aduana Royal Family offered an unreserved apology to the Okyenhene and the people of Akyem Abuakwa for what they described as an unlawful and uncustomary act.
READ: Akyem Odauman exits Abuakwa Traditional Council, ends nearly 300-year alliance
They also indicated that the family would soon determine the fate of Odauhene Odeneho Ofosu Kwabi Ayebiahwe in the coming days.
Some residents expressed concerns over rising tensions in the communtiy and prolifileration of arms by landguards firing warning shots daily .
The security deployment by the Eastern South Police Command in the community is to maintain law and order amid fears that the dispute could escalate into violence.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
