The Ekumfi Traditional Council says it stands ready to offer its support in whatever ways possible to assist the police as far as investigations into the charge of murder levelled against Tufuhen Onyaa, who is known in private life as Christopher Ekow Clark Quansah, is concerned.
Mr. Clark Quansah, who is the Tufuhen of three Ekumfi towns, namely, Ekumfi Edumadze, Ekumfi Swedru and Ekumfi Akwakrom, is currently in the grips of the police for allegedly murdering one Georgina Asor Botchwey.
Miss Georgina Asor Botchwey, who was seeking admission to the Ankaful Nursing Training College, was allegedly kidnapped by one Pastor Michael Darko and eventually killed with the assistance of Tufuhen Onyaa.
Addressing a press conference on the alleged crime, the Omanhen of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, Odeɛfo Akyin VIII, who was outside the country when the incident happened, described the alleged crime as serious and heinous.
Odeɛfo Akyin indicated that Tufuhen Onyaa was one of the integral and cardinal traditional elders of the aforementioned three towns, and also the head of all the “Asafo” groups in the said towns.
Following this, he said, the “Traditional leaders in Ekumfi Traditional Area are appalled by the fact that Tufuhen Onyaa is associated with these heinous crimes.”
He, therefore, encouraged the police CID in charge of the crime to “leave no stone unturned to get to the core of this serious heinous matter to ensure that justice is served as per the laws of this our beloved country Ghana”.
Alleged crime was committed in his private capacity
Lamenting further about the alleged heinous crime, Odeɛfo Akyin indicated that the embattled Tufuhen allegedly committed the crime in his private capacity and that his traditional role had absolutely nothing to do with it.
“We should all be reminded that whatever crimes that TufuhenOnyaa has himself said to have committed were done in his private capacity as an individual but not because he is a Tufuhen in the Ekumfi Traditional Area,” he explained.
Application of traditional customs
The paramount chief acknowledged the fact that the case was pending before a court of competent jurisdiction and therefore, exercised high level of circumcision so as not to undermine the investigations as well as the trial.
He, however, assured that “The Ekumfi Traditional Council will wait for the final determination of the culpability of Tufuhen Onyaa at the court of law before applying the customs and traditions regarding his traditional position”.
Condolence to the grieving family
Speaking to the issue in public for the first time, Odeɛfo Akyin, on behalf of the traditional council, sent a message of condolence to the family of the late Georgina Asor Botchwey who was allegedly murdered by her trusted pastor and Tufuhen Onyaa.
He said: “To all the grieving families, we hold you close to our thoughts at this sad and heartbroken moments. On behalf of the Ekumfi Traditional Council, please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences.”
