The Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs has, by a unanimous decision (5-0), reversed the decision of the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs regarding the Kwahu Nkwatia stool matters.
The Committee chaired by Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw I, with other members as Osagyefo Kwame Akounu X, Togbega Patamia Dzekley VII, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II, atits sitting on October 24, 2023reaffirmed the legitimacy of Nana Boamah Ayiripe II, as the Kwahu-Nkwatia chief.
This was after Nana Boamah Ayiripe II and his charges appealed against an earlier ruling by the Eastern Regional Judicial Committee that said he was not a qualified as a chief.
The judgment was between six applicants, namely Nana Kissi Tuasakyi, Nana Osei Antwi Boasiako II, Nana Birifa Dankwah II, Nana BirwahKyerewaa, Kwaku Sarfo Kantanka II and Samuel Boamah Danso verses eleven respondents, namely Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie Dankwah II, Nana Agyekum Benefo II, Nana Akuamoah Dwamena II, Nana Obuor Gyan II, Nana Kissi Boadum II, Nana Kwasi Mireku Nyampong II, Nana Kofi Opoku II, Nana Yeboah Anyan II, Nana Opoku Danso II, Nana Baa Oware II and Nana Yaw Asante.
Addressing teeming residents at the palace, at the just-ended Akwasidea celebration, Nana Boamah Ayiripe II expressed worry over the misunderstanding and intolerant posture of the dissatisfied faction.
According to him, it is evidently known and a widely accepted fact by the kingmakers and residents of the area that he is the chief of Kwahu-Nkwatia and for the common goal of the area, called on each and every one to join him for the betterment of Kwahu-Nkwatia.
Matters arising
Samuel Boama Danso was installed as chief of Nkwatia in October 2020, with a stool name Nana Boama Ayiripe II, by the Krontihene of Nkwatia – Nana Odei Tutu Ababio and a section of stool elders and kingmakers.
But his installation was later challenged by the queen mother of the town, Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II and nine others at the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and the Committee found reason in her application.
The petition was initially dismissed by the Judicial Committee of Kwahu Traditional Council on October 16, 2020 before the petitioners proceeded to the Regional House of Chiefs.
They subsequently applied for an interlocutory injunction on November 20, 2020 against the respondent from carrying himself out as chief of Nkwatia, which was granted in a ruling delivered on March 24, 2021 by the Judicial Committee pending the final determination of the substantive case.
On December 15, 2021 the Judicial Committee, chaired by its President, Nene Sakite, Konor of the Lower Manya Krobo Traditional Council, and four other traditional leaders after listening to both sides decided to give the final ruling, but the plan was cancelled on the December 14, 2021.
They later adjourned the ruling date to February 2, 2022 but it was also cancelled at the last minute. It was further rescheduled to February 23, 2022 but was called off until further notice.
