The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council is asking residents and citizens of Akwatia and Okyeman to disregard a purported deposition or destoolment of the chief of Akwatia, Osabarima Kofi Boateng lll by the Abrade Royal family of Akwatia
The Akyem Abuakwa State Secretary, Mr D.M. Ofori-Atta hinted at a press conference held at Kyebi that Osabarima Kofi Boateng III remains the chief of Akwatia in the records of the Akyem Abuakwa Tradition Council.
He said the proper persons or persons clothed with the right to bring proceedings for the deposition or destoolment of a chief is provided for under section 40 of the Chieftaincy Act 2008, Act 759.
According to D.M Ofori-Atta, the Judicial Committee of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has not received any charges from any of the kingmakers of Akwatia purporting to surcharge the Akwatiahene for a known customary offence.
According to him, the requirement of a valid customary destoolment of a chief is that: the chief must have committed a known customary offence, the offence must have been brought to his notice by the elders, who must formulate charges against him before the judicial committee of the traditional council.
The chief must be put on trial on these charges and must be given a fair hearing and a finding of guilt must be made against him, before the appropriate customary practice relative to the area is conducted for his destoolment.
However, D.M. Ofori-Atta says the required processes have not been initiated, let alone been completed by the kingmakers of Akwatia.
He added that the purported news of destoolment is null and void and has no customary and legal effect.
Abusuapanin of the Abrade Royal family, Opanin Antwi Darkwa led some of his family members, together with the Krontihene of Akwatia, Baffour Afisa on Sunday, 23rd July, 2023 to perform some customary rites signifying the destoolment of Osabarima Kofi Boateng lll as Akwatiahene, over what they described as wanton sale of family and stool properties and gross disrespect for his family members and Akwatiaman.
Meanwhile, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has described the purported destoolment as null and void and without customary and legal effects.
The traditional council is urging the Akwatia police to restore order in Akwatia and provide the necessary security to the Akwatiahene, Osabarima Kofi Boateng III.
