Chiefs, queen mothers and principal elders of the Odau Group under the Benkum Division of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area have publicly rejected what they describe as the “rebellious posture” of the Chief of Etwereso, Daasebre Ofosu Kwabi Ayebiahwe, and reaffirmed their allegiance to the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
The traditional leaders distanced themselves from recent declarations by the Etweresohene, who also serves as leader of the Odau Group, in which he questioned the authority of the Okyenhene and denied him as his overlord.
Addressing the Akyem Abuakwa State Standing Committee at the Ofori Panin Fie in Kyebi, the chiefs and elders from towns including Buadua, Kwae, Banka, Ahweamu, Subi, Mmronam, Adubease, Chia, Odumase Pramkese and Osenase condemned the Etweresohene’s remarks and insisted that he did not speak for the Odau Group.
Dismay
Speaking on behalf of the group, Ahweamuhene Barima Amo Gyabi stated that the chiefs had watched with dismay the statements and videos circulated by the Etweresohene denying Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin as his overlord.
He stressed that the Odau chiefs rejected those statements in their entirety and maintained that the Okyenhene remained their overlord just as he had been for their forefathers.
According to him, any chief who denied that historical and customary truth undermined the very foundation of the chieftaincy institution and should be prepared to face the consequences.
Comments
The Odau leaders were reacting to comments by the Etweresohene in which he asserted that Etwereso had never been conquered by Akyem and had only voluntarily joined Okyeman. He also insisted therefore that he would no longer owe allegiance to the Okyenhene if his preferred candidate was not installed as Osenasehene.
In response, the Odau elders declared that their allegiance remained solely and wholly with the Okyenhene as the rightful overlord of Akyem Abuakwa.
They maintained that from time immemorial, their stools had remained subordinate to the Ofori Panin Stool and that no chief, regardless of his declarations, could undo centuries of custom and ancestral ties.
The chiefs further emphasized that they had never consented to any attempt to break away from the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and would never support such a move.
Rejection
Pramkesehene Barima Kwasi Frimping also rejected the Etweresohene’s claim that Etwereso constituted an independent kingdom or that an “Odau Kingdom” existed.
He stated that no such kingdom had ever existed in the history of the area and described the declaration as a false and invented paramountcy with no basis in custom or history.
He maintained that the Etweresohene had no authority to place any Odau town under any banner other than that of Okyeman, insisting that if he wished to pursue that course, he did so alone and without the backing of the Odau traditional leadership.
Despite their strong condemnation of the Etweresohene’s conduct, the chiefs and elders called for calm in the ongoing Osenase chieftaincy dispute.
They urged all parties to allow the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and its judicial committees to address the matter through established customary and legal processes rather than through public confrontations, media campaigns or unilateral declarations.
Custom path
The leaders further called on the Etweresohene to withdraw his statements and return to what they described as the path of custom, respect and lawful procedure.
The resolution affirming loyalty to the Ofori Panin Stool was signed by several prominent traditional authorities, including Bankahemaa Obaapanin Anima Fremo, Pramkesehene Barima Kwasi Frimping II, Regent of Osenase Nana Asafo Agyei, Buaduahene Barima Kwasi Agyakwa, Subihene Barima Amoah Bosompem III, Kwaehene Barima Kwaku Amankwa III, Ahweamuhene Barima Kwaku Amo Gyabi, Queenmother of Chia Obaapanin Ntiamoah Buadua, and Abusuapanin Addo Dankwa.
They urged the Okyenhene to accept their resolution as evidence of their unwavering loyalty and continued allegiance to the Ofori Panin Stool.
About The Author
