The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has summoned Nana Owiredu Agyarko, Ankobeahene of Begoro, which is the Benkum Division of the traditional area, for endorsing the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama at Ahomahomaso, during his recent tour of the Eastern Region.
This follows a petition by some Nananoms of the area, including Daasebre of Ofosu Kwabi Ayebiahwe, Otweresohene/Odau, Okyeame Owusu of Begoro and Barfuor Sakyi Amankwaa II, representing Begoro stool.
The  summon, signed by D.M. Ofori-Atta, state Secretary of the traditional council, said “I forward here with this writ of summons issued against you by the above-mentioned petitioners (Daasebre of Ofosu Kwabi Ayebiahwe, Otweresohene /Odau, Okyeame Owusu of Begoro, and Barfuor Sakyi Amankwaa II representing Begoro stool “.
“You are by this summons ordered by Nananom to appear before them without fail. You are to bring along witnesses or witness if any, and your hearing fees of GHc1000. 00”.
The claim of the petitioners to the respondent – Nana Owiredu Agyarko, is to show cause “why he had without regard to custom brought the name of Begoro stool into disrepute, political ridicule and to further show cause why he should not be customarily sanctioned for dragging the Begoro stool, the people of Begoro and Elders of Begoro into partisan politics”.
The facts, as stated by the petitioners, are that the respondent at a campaign meeting attended by John Mahama, purporting to represent Nananom and the people of Begoro made a partisan political statement that, “the flagbearer of the NDC is the incoming President of Ghana.
That the people of Begoro must vote massively for the Flagbearer of NDC, that the 24-hour economic policy of the NDC government will rescue the people of Begoro from Poverty, that all Nananom have invoked the gods by pouring libation against the breaking the 8 mantra of the New Patriotic Party government.
That the people of Begoro must be vigilant against the vote rigging agenda of the current government that the Parliamentary candidate of the NDC bloated by dubious means in the previous election, that the people of Begoro must vote massively for him in the coming election”.
The relief being sought by the petitioners includes “an order of destoolment as Ankobeahene of Begoro, a declaration that the conduct of the respondent flies in the face of custom and therefore null, void and of no effect.
“An order directed at the respondent to make a public recantation of the comments complained of. An order was directed at the respondent to render an unqualified apology to the 1st petitioner, the stool elders of Begoro, and the people of Begoro for his offensive and unlawful conduct. Punitive customary sanctions be imposed on the respondent if he is found liable.”
