Atuabo chieftaincy disputes escalates

The longstanding chieftaincy dispute in the Atuabo Traditional Area appears to have escalated, as heads of clans and youth leaders have passed a resolution to suspend all customary relations with the embattled Paramount Chief, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III.
At a press conference held at Atuabo, leaders of the community accused the Omanhene (paramount chief) of prolonged neglect, divisive leadership and a consistent departure from the customs and traditions of the land.

The resolution, signed by heads of clans, opinion leaders, and youth representatives, marks a significant development in the tensions surrounding the traditional authority of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area.
“We, the undersigned heads of clans, opinion leaders, youth, and indigenes of Atuabo, having convened and deliberated upon the state of our community and leadership, hereby convey our collective decision to suspend our customary service to the chief of Atuabo, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, who also serves as the paramount chief,” the statement read.
Claims of Neglect and Broken Traditions
According to the group, the Omanhene has failed to uphold the responsibilities traditionally expected of a chief. They cited his lack of engagement with the community, failure to render accounts and refusal to consult with elders and citizens on key matters affecting Atuabo.

Safohene Albert Blankson, who read the resolution on behalf of the group, was flanked by Assembly Member for Atuabo, Roger Ofori Zogblah and Youth Leader, John Ketibuah.
“Since his enstoolment, the chief’s actions have departed significantly from the customs, norms, and traditions of our forefathers,” said Safohene Blankson, adding “this has led to growing discontent, division and disconnection between him and the people he is meant to serve.”

The group further claimed that the Omanhene had failed to convene meetings or involve the community in governance processes, which they argue was a fundamental expectation of traditional leadership in Nzema culture.

“This neglect of community engagement stands in direct contradiction to our customs, where the chief is expected to sit with his people and seek their counsel. As a result, the people now feel unheard, abandoned, and disconnected from the leadership,” the statement added.

This resolution comes at a time when sections of the community and members of the royal family assert that Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III has already been traditionally destooled, a claim that adds legal and cultural complexity to the ongoing crisis.

The royal family has long filed destoolment charges in a form of petition against the Omanhene at the House of Chiefs, but the petition is yet to be moved.
The Atuabo Traditional Area has been embroiled in leadership controversies for years, with multiple factions raising concerns over governance, development neglect, and traditional protocol violations.

The current move by the youth and clan heads may set the stage for a protracted legal or traditional battle over the legitimacy of the Omanhene’s rule and could have wider implications for the stability of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council.
Awulae Attibrukusu III, Omanhene of Lower Axim and his colleague chiefs attempted to broker peace between the royal family and the Omanhene, but it appears the move did not work leading to the latest ‘unrest’.

 

 

The post Atuabo chieftaincy disputes escalates appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story