The Sofoase and Nkwaduano Yefri Royal Families of Wenchi have called on the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and other relevant institutions to urgently determine the long-running dispute over the Wenchihene stool.
In a statement, the families said the substantive chieftaincy matter has remained pending since 2019, creating uncertainty and tension within the Wenchi Traditional Area.
The dispute concerns the validity of the nomination and enstoolment of Kwaku Damoah as Wenchihene, a matter the families said has been before the appropriate customary and judicial institutions.
According to the families, the unresolved dispute has also contributed to tensions surrounding other stools, customary lands and traditional authority within Wenchiman.
They cited the reported suspension of the Twafo Stool and the purported destoolment of the Twafohene, Nana Akora Tua Adutwum Kyereme Konfour IV, as matters of concern.
The families said the Twafohene had been prepared to appear before the Judicial Committee of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs to give evidence on the customary processes for the enstoolment of a Wenchihene.
They argued that any allegations against the Twafohene should be properly communicated to him and addressed through the appropriate customary and lawful processes.
Concerns over customary lands
The royal families also raised concerns over the alleged allocation of about 14,000 acres of customary land belonging to different families and lineages to an individual.
They said such matters must be handled transparently and in accordance with applicable law and customary practices.
The families further called for a halt to what they described as arbitrary sales, allocations or seizure of customary lands until the rights of the affected families and lineages are properly determined.
Call for probe into alleged mining activities
The statement also raised concerns about reported mining activities at Twrontwo near Atuna and their alleged impact on the Tain River.
The families referred to reports containing allegations of mining operations, excavated pits, environmental damage and claims involving payments connected to the activities.
They stressed, however, that the allegations had not been judicially established and called for an independent investigation into the matter.
The families said protecting the Tain River and reclaiming affected lands should be treated as matters of public interest because of the river’s importance to communities in the area.
Concerns over other traditional areas
The royal families further expressed concern over reported disputes involving other traditional areas, including Awisa, Akrobi and Wurompo.
They said competing claims to traditional authority in these areas could create further uncertainty and tension within the wider traditional area.
The families consequently called on all parties to refrain from violence, threats, intimidation and other actions that could deepen divisions while the various matters remain before the appropriate institutions.
They stressed that their intervention was not intended to create conflict but to promote peace, unity and stability in Wenchiman.
The Sofoase and Nkwaduano Yefri Royal Families consequently urged the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and other relevant institutions to facilitate a timely determination of the substantive Wenchihene case.
