The Royal Anona Family of Baidoe Bonsoe at Busua has accused the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ahanta West Municipal Assembly (AWMA), John Agyare, of being complicit in the escalating chieftaincy dispute in the Ahanta land.
According to the family members, they have written and also orally informed the Municipal Chief Executive who is also the Municipal Security Committee Chairman (MUSEC) that the family has not enstooled an overlord of Ahanta following the passing of Otumfour Baidoe Bonsoe XV.
According to them, despite these notifications, one Kobina Antwi continues to parade himself as Ahantahene without MUSEC calling him to order.
The family noted that recently the said Kobina Antwi, parading himself as overlord of Ahanta, with the stool name Otumfuo Baidoe Bonsoe XVI, failed to exchange greetings with Vice President Bawumia at a funeral held in Accra.
It is as a result of this, that the Royal Anona Family of Busua is accusing the MUSEC Chairman of being complicit in the chieftaincy brouhaha in the area.
A Member of the royal family, Ben Ansah, at a news conference at Busua accused the MCE of failing to properly brief the national security of the status of the said Kobina Antwi.
He wondered why the MCE had not acted, despite officially informing him that they have not enstooled a new Ahantahene.
But MCE John Agyare has denied the accusation. Speaking in a telephone interview, MCE Agyare told this reporter that the accusation could not stand because he has not recognized Kobina Antwi as Overlord. According to him, factions in the dispute made attempts to use the district assembly hall for a meeting but he rejected all of them.
He explained the occasion that led to the embarrassment of the vice president was a funeral where he himself was present and that the said Antwi also failed to shake hands with him (MCE).
Meanwhile Counsel for the royal family, Captain Nkrabea Effah Dartey (Rtd), at the same news conference maintained that Otumfuo Baidoe Bonsoe was indisposed and that he was yet to resume his riyal duties.
According to counsel Dartey, the Tufuhene -Nana Eziaku IV – is current acting in his (recuperating chief) stead. Bolo Kwaw is also the Head of the royal family.
Counsel EffahDartey mentioned that,per traditions and customs, it was wrong for a chief who is sick and recuperating in the village to be replaced.
He mentioned that Baidoe Bonsoe’s visit to the ancestral village, though not officially announced, has been brought to the attention of the appropriate quarters of government, especially the MCE.
“With all the above being stated, it tells us all that there is no such person as Baidoo Bonsoe XVI because it has not been said that our Baidoo Bonsoe XV has, in any way, returned from the village”.
He continued, “credible information reaching the family of Baidoo Bonsoe XV indicates that an imposter by name Samuel Kobina Antwi,belonging to a clan unknown to us, is parading himself as Baidoo Bonsoe XVI. He is roaming around in borrowed robe and linking himself to the Traditional Council of Ahanta, as the non-exiting Baidoo Bonsoe XVI, which the family knows nothing about”.
Counsel EffahDartey indicated that on several occasions, Kobina Antwi has been warned through some medium as well as petitions against him, some through the Regional House of Chiefs and Court actions but none has been servedon him because he has allegedly been evading service.
APOLOGY
The royal family used the occasion to render unqualified apology to the Vice President Alhaji Mahamadu Baumia for the conduct of the said Kobina Antwi. Nana Ahamandze on behalf of the family indicated the family felt so sorry when the conduct of Kobina Antwi came to their attention.
He said, the family was using the news conference todrum home that they have not enstooled Ahantahene in the person of Kobina Antwi and same should be regarded as an imposter. Chronicle checks indicate that Kobina Antwi together with some local chiefs had visited the vice president and offered apology for the embarrassment.
