The family head of the Asona Royal family of Begoro in the Fanteakwa North district of the Eastern Region, Nana Yaw Asante, has advised the overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, to stop interfering in the nomination, selection and enstoolment of chief for the people of Begoro.
According to the family head, Okyenhene by the principle of custom, tradition and law has not gotten the latitude to appoint any person, not even within the royal clan, let alone outside the royal gate to the Begoro stool.
He explained that according to custom and tradition, the queen mother, in consultation with the kingmakers has the prerogative to nominate and select a candidate who is from the royal gate and duly fit to be a chief.
Nana Asante, who was speaking in an interview with The Chronicle at Begoro recently, continued that when the candidate fulfils all the customary rites, the candidate would then be enstooled and later presented and made to swear the oath of office to the Overlord.
But the situation took a different dimension on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 when the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, in the exercise of his customary duties appointed Daasebre Kwabi Ofosu Ayebiahwe as the Regent of Begoro.
Daasebre Kwabi Ofosu Ayebiahwe is to take over from Osaberima Bosompem Ayiripell, the Sawirakohene and assume full customary responsibilities of Begoro Township, including carrying out all functions incidental to the function of the office of the Benkumhene.
It is only the Antwi Kwasi houses in Asona Royal Family that ascend the Begoro stool.
To this, the Asona Royal family head expressed his grave concern over an incident that occurred on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 following the invasion of armed police officers and the appointment of a Regent in Begoro by the Overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council.
Nana Yaw Asante, the family head, described the development and position of Okyehene as unfortunate and total disrespect to traditional values after the Queen mother and Kingmakers had duly gone through the necessary customary rites to enstool Daasebre Antwi-Awuah IV, as the chief for Begoro.
According to him, “there is currently a new chief, so what is the need for a Regent? Is it just to cause trouble while the Okyehene enjoys his peace with his subjects in Kibi. Is this a sign of good leadership?
“Begoro Township is not a colony. No Abbot sitting somewhere can superimpose a beloved mate on Begoro. This is the oppressor’s act that must be resisted, in line with the national anthem”, he declared.
The Asona Royal family head noted that the Okyehene and his Agents are bent on disrupting the work of the new chief and that the frantic effort to install a rival chief is a recipe for disaster and chaos for the people of Begoro.
“Okyehene has no locus to impose any chief on the people of Begoro. The state apparatus, the president, his Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo should, therefore, restrain him in the interest of public peace.”
He expressed shock when Dasebre Antwi-Awuah IV, the chief of Begoro, was denied access to the local palace to perform routine customary rites on Wednesday March 8, 2023 by armed police dispatch from the national, regional and district police commands.
“Begoro reserves the right to live in peace and go about their traditional rites unencumbered. The people, the youth and elders of Begoro are resolved to stand by the truth and must be left to go about their lives in peace and not in pieces”, he added.
This appointment and assumption of office as the regent of Begoro brought heavy security personnel from the District Police Command to avert any possible mayhem and also calm down tension in the town.
But for the excellent display of professionalism by the police, led by the Regional Commander Emmanuel Twumasi Ankrah, the situation would have turned bloody.
