Some aggrieved members of the Nmati Abonase, Abese and Leshie Divisions of La have described the action of the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, as illegal and inappropriate.
Addressing a press conference, the lead Secretary of Nmati Abonase Division, Nii Obour Fredmann Afful, explained that although there are cases still pending at the Judicial Committee of the La Traditional Council and the courts, the Minister and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs have directed the La Traditional Council to illegally admit two individuals they claim to be Chiefs, into the La Traditional Council.
“Asamoah Boateng exhibited biased, improper and extremely arrogant conduct. He also purported to arrogate to himself judiciary powers he didn’t have under law, as a Minister,” he noted.
He explained that the role of the Ministry and the Regional House of Chiefs is to advise and not to impose on the Council hence the coalition feels their directive is in contravention with the law.
“The meeting that we thought was to find an amicable solution to the issue, turned out to be, otherwise, as it was rather a meeting to affirm Asamoah Boateng’s agenda to have some people admitted into the La Traditional Council at all cost,” he stated.
He disclosed that the non-admission of the two individuals led to the Ministry and the Regional House of Chiefs to suspend the traditional Council until further notice.
“The suspension has created tension in La and threatening the peace that La has enjoyed over the years, because people are attaching negative twists to it, which has led to attacks on members of the La Traditional Council, accusations and counter accusations from some quarters, and agitations by some sections of the youth,” he said.
He revealed that such actions had the potential to destabilise the peace of the country and influence overall turnout of the elections.
“His biases and fixation concerning the issue are highly suspicious and he should be investigated on that. We the aggrieved parties will not sit down for La to become like Ngleshie Alata and Bawku and shall, therefore, fiercely resist any attempt by Asamoah Boateng to carry through with his illegal agenda,” he added.
The Assistant Secretary of Nii Okanfra We of the Abese Division appealed to the Minister to give a listening ear to all affected parties, rather than resort to force that will lead to unwarranted chaos.
The traditional leaders, however, threatened to petition the Presidency for the immediate removal of the Minister, should such incident continue to persist.
