At least three people have lost their lives, with several others sustaining gunshot injuries in a chieftaincy dispute-related gun attack at Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region.
The incident occurred Tuesday evening.
Myrepubliconline.com sources obtained that gun-wielding men and occupants of the Okyeman Land Protection Taskforce, escorting a convoy of rival chiefs enstooled recently by Akyem Abuakwa traditional council and sworn in on Tuesday at Kyebi, stormed the Adoagyiri community amid sporadic gunshots, leading to the death of one person belonging to the opposing faction.
However, a member of the Okyeman task force was mistakenly gunned down. Two other people sustained gunshot injuries.
The victims were rushed to Nsawam Government Hospital by police deployed to the community.
The two victims—one identified as Kwame Apietu, believed to be in his 50s—were pronounced dead on arrival.
Apietu returned from USA a few weeks ago to attend the funeral of his late sister.
Police personnel are patrolling the Adoagyiri township, but no arrests have been made.
Meanwhile, some eyewitnesses allege that One Oboye and Henry Ofori Atta Alias Okum Nipa were among the men wielding guns.
Recent Tension in Adoagyiri
Angry sub-chiefs and residents of Adoagyiri in the Eastern region threatened mayhem if Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and Akyem Abuakwa traditional council were not stopped from planning the outdooring of a rival chief clandestinely and illegally enstooled.
On Saturday, August 19, 2023, Odehye Kwame Ntiamoah from the Dwumana royal family of Adoagyiri was installed as rival Chief of Adoagyiri with the stool name Barima Adu Korkorll under heavily armed police personnel led by Chief Superintendent Magnus Reindorf Sam, Kibi Divisional Police Commander, with the support of the Okyeman Land Protection Taskforce.
The furious sub-chiefs and elders, however, say Adoagyiri has legitimately gazetted chief for the past 15 years in the person of Okoanadwo Afutu Dompreh II, therefore describing the enstoolment of the parallel chief as illegal with a potential threat to the peace of the town.
At a press conference in Adoagyiri on Monday, August 23, 2023, the chiefs, elders, and youth of Adoagyiri, clad in red and black apparel amid the chanting of war songs, stated that Adoagyiri has never been part of the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area but rather under Akyem Kotoku; therefore, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and the Akyem Abuakwa traditional council have no legal and traditional right to invade the community with the tacit support of the state to enstool a chief.
Odehye Kronkron Nana Kwabena Agyemang, one of the spokespersons at the press conference, said, Kyebihene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin must be arrested. What he has done is treason. We will resist them on Saturday with our blood. Some of us will die, but many of them will also die”.
Odiatuo Okatakyie Afrifa, Abakomahene, said several petitions sent to the Presidency, Ghana Police Service, and National Security about the intention of Okyenhene to invade Adoagyiri to illegally enstool a chief as part of the broader plan to annex it as part of Akyem Abuakwa were ignored, leaving them no option but to defend their land and tradition going forward.
For purpose of emphasis, he said, the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs on 2 February 2022, delivered judgment on suit number-JC/ERHC/AP1/2008, and gave legitimacy and confirmed Okoanadwo Afutu Dompreh II as Chief of Adoagyiri and Ankobeahene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council, “so on what basis is Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council saying that Kotoku Adoagyiri has no chief”.
The elders and kingmakers gave the historical antecedent of Adoagyiri and credible records, clearly indicating that Adoagyiri is under Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area.
“Adoagyiri has since historical times been part of Akyem Kotoku and falls directly under the Gyase Division. It holds the title of Ankobeahene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council from the first chief Nana Dompreh Mpesempese to date. Available records indicate that all substantive Adoagyiri chiefs have been part of the Akyem Kotoku state, including the records and evidence of Okoanadwo Adu Korkoor II as chief of Adoagyiri and Ankoabehene of Akyem Kotoku State with gazette number “No-59” issued on 18th June 1955 by the National House of Chiefs,” they added.
They indicated that Nana Adu Korkor II was installed chief at Adoagyiri and sent to Akyem Kotoku to pay allegiance to the then acting President of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council, Nana Abrokwa Gyampim I (Kontihene of Akyem Kotoku), in 1953 in the absence of the Omanhene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area.
“What has the Abuakwa state been doing since 8th November 2007 when Okoanadwo Afutu Dompreh II swore the oath of allegiance to Kotokuhene, Oseadeayo Dr. Frimpong Manso IV”?
Some angry residents who claim to be members of the ruling New Patriotic Party express their disappointment in President Akufo Addo for looking unconcerned for Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin to abuse state security and commit such a grievous traditional act.
They threatened to vote against the party in 2024.
A libation was poured and cursed invoked on persons involved in last Saturday’s uncustomary enstoolment.