Some Divisional Chiefs of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council (ENTC) have appealed to the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to urgently intervene to avert a possible chieftaincy clash in the area.
According to the chiefs, tension is mounting, following the alleged irregular installation (enstoolment) of one Egya Ackah, who is parading himself as the Paramount Chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, with the stool name Awulae Blay.
They warned that unless security agencies step in immediately to stop him from holding himself as Omanhene, there could be violent confrontation in the community.
Addressing a press briefing in Takoradi, Nana Kwamena Bentum II, Divisional Chief of Salma, said the potential for conflict has heightened because the said ‘Imposter’, also known in private life as Berenger Flaton, has announced plans to celebrate the Kundum Festival on November 2, 2025.
He described the development as a threat to peace, stressing that the ENTC already has a gazetted and legitimate Paramount Chief, Awulae Amihere Kpanyile.
According to Nana Bentum, a small group of less than five chiefs, together with the Paramount Queenmother and a few members of the Ndweafo Royal Family, conspired to enstool the nephew of Awulae Kpanyile as Omanhene after claiming to have “traditionally destooled” the sitting Paramount Chief.
“We want to use this occasion to let the world know that Awulae Amihere Kpanyile remains the President of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council, and nothing can change that,” he declared.
It has emerged that the Paramount Queenmother, Arvo Nyimah III and one Frank Kwasi, described as head of the Ndweafo Royal Family had earlier filed destoolment charges against Awulae Kpanyile at the Western Regional House of Chiefs (WRHC).
A three-member committee, chaired by Hima Dekyi, Omanhene of Upper Dixcove, with Okuamoah Tetretteh Seyim of Wassa Akropong, as a member, was constituted to hear the petition.
Before that, a mediation team made up of Nana Kobina Nketiah V (Essikado), Awulae Attibrukusu III (Lower Axim) and Kwesi Agyemang IX (Lower Dixcove) attempted to resolve the dispute amicably, but failed, leading to the formal hearing.
The petitioners accused the Omanhene of being unmarried and “incompetent”, among other unsubstantiated claims and prayed the committee to destool him.
However, before the committee could conclude its work, the petitioners, through their lawyers filed a Notice of Discontinuation, withdrawing the case “with liberty to reapply.”
The committee is yet to rule on the application for discontinuance.
Nana Bentum argued that given the pending nature of the case, it was wrong for the Queenmother and her allies to rush into installing another person. He said such actions amounted to “a travesty of justice” and called on REGSEC to act swiftly by arresting the self-styled Omanhene.
“Chieftaincy matters can easily spark conflict, and the police must act now to prevent bloodshed. There are clear procedures in the Chieftaincy Act for enstoolment and destoolment and no one has the right to bypass them under the guise of custom,” he warned.
He commended Awulae Amihere Kpanyile for his calm and restraint despite “false and provocative allegations” against him.
“Throughout this ordeal, Awulae Kpanyile has maintained his dignity. He has not uttered a word or retaliated, that is how a true chief behaves,” Nana Bentum said.
He further appealed to REGSEC and the Regional Police Command to ensure that Awulae Kpanyile returns safely to occupy his stool, saying the discontinuation of the petition means the Omanhene has “no case to answer.”
Exactly a year ago, an attempted assassination on Awulae Amihere Kpanyile at his palace was foiled by the Police.
Consequently, Amihere kpanyile was evacuated from the Atuabo palace to safety. The palace was also declared as a security zone by the police.
But why the same Police looked on for a rival to occupy the palace and same instal himself as Omanhene, and offered police protection raises questions.
Other chiefs, including Nana Simale Kpanyile of Anwia, affirmed their loyalty to Awulae Kpanyile, stating that they had sworn oaths to him and had not received any communication from the House of Chiefs regarding his destoolment.
The Senior Divisional Chief of Aiyinase Stool, Nana Etwe Kpanyile VI, identified as one of the kingmakers of the Atuabo Stool, added that no formal complaint from the royal family had been brought before them, a clear indication that due process had not been followed.
