Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has called Nana Kwaku Duah II, caretaker chief (Odikro) of Tewobaabi, to order over his claim of ownership of some parts of Heman stool lands.
Heman in the Afigya Kwabre district is bounded by Aboaso, Mampongteng, Ejuratia, Wawase and Adwumakasekese, while Tewobaabi is at Ntonsu.
At a recent (August 21, 2023) sitting of the Manhyia Traditional Court with Otumfuo presiding, he reiterated a declaration that the Nana Hemanhene, Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan, was the sole custodian of Hemang stool lands.
The meeting was occasioned by complaints lodged by Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan, Chief of Heman, about incursions into parts of Heman stool lands by the Odikro of Tewobaabi, who claimed that those parcels of land belonged to him.
The Asantehene also heard that the Tewabaabi Odikro had enstooled a resident, Ankobeahene, to represent his (Tewobaabi Odikro) interests, particularly in the sale of lands at Heman.
Having heard from all the parties, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II declared that Nana Apau Sanwoansan was the recognised chief entrusted with the Heman Stool lands.
He, therefore, cautioned Nana Kwaku Duah to stay clear off Heman lands and went further to abolish any such Ankobeahene by the Tewobaabi Odikro at Heman.
Otumfuo also cautioned the Head of Ekuona Nkoduase Family (Abusuapanin) of Heman, Nana Kwaku Appiagyei, and family members from staking a claim to Heman Stool lands.
“Heman stool lands do not belong to Tewobaabi Odikro, neither do they (stool lands) belong to Butuakwa (Nkoduase) family,” Otumfuo decreed.
The recent declaration by Otumfuo is the second in five years to emphasise the ownership of Heman stool lands.
On May 22, 2017, Otumfuo Osei Tutu sternly and openly cautioned Okyeame Butuakwa, then leader of the Nkoduase Family (the late Kyeame Akoto’s family) and declared that Heman stool lands were vested in the Chief of Heman, Nana Apau Sanwoansan, and that the Nkoduase Family had no business interfering in the management and administration of Heman stool lands.
The Ashanti King was also emphatic that the Nkoduase Family was entitled to Asabi and Adagya lands, and not Heman lands.
It was also explained that the Nkoduase Family of Heman was in charge of the Akyeame Stool and could not claim Heman stool lands.
The royal declaration that the members of the Nkoduase or Butuakwa Family were not members of the Ekuona royal family of Heman, thus bringing an end to the dispute that had raged on for years before Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan was installed Chief in June 2015.
The Hemanhene has expressed profound appreciation for the position of the Asantehene in the Heman stool lands issue and said the verdict would go a long way to ensure lasting peace and promote development in the community.
Nana Hemanhene has directed that all persons who had previously acquired parcels of Heman lands from other sources should take steps to regularise their documents for proper documentation.
Nana Sanwansa noted that plots of land had been sold without proper documentation, and asked that all those who had acquired lands at Heman should take advantage of the concession to regularise their documents before sanctions were taken against them.
He said the Hemang Stool would not allow development of any land without proper documentation to avoid any confrontation.
Nana Sarpong Kumankuma Ababio, Akwamuhene of Heman, applauded Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his wise arbitration in the Heman Stool affairs.
He also commended the Ashanti King for contributing to the growth and promotion of the chieftaincy institution and Ashanti Kingdom on the global map.
Meanwhile, the Abusuapanin of the Bretuo Family of Tewobaabi, Nana Osei Kwabena Marfo, has invoked the Great Oath of Ashanti (Ntamkese) against Nana Kwaku Duah, challenging his position as Tewobaabi Chief.
In another development, the self-styled Ankobeahene of Heman has been apprehended by the Manhyia Police for the destruction of the construction on a piece of land at Heman following a complaint by a landowner.
The stool elders and jubilant indigenes, who thronged Manhyia Palace to witness the arbitration between the Hemanhene and the Tewobaabi Odikro in solidarity, commended their Chief for the remarkable development he had brought to the community since he ascended the Ekuona Apau and Brefo Stool of Heman as Chief on June 22, 2015, succeeding Nana Owusu Brefo II, who died in 1995.
Achievements
The stool elders mentioned a number of developmental projects Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan had undertaken over his eight year reign, including a magnificent Palace he commissioned on October 8, 2017.
The Hemanhene has also provided a fence wall around the royal mausoleum situated on an acre of land and renovated a six-unit classroom block of the Roman Catholic Primary School at Heman at the cost of GH¢60,000, as well as painted the local Junior High School.
The Chief has also presented 50 dual desks to the school to furnish the renovated block and supplied a quantity of branded exercise books for distribution to schools in the locality.
Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan has, since 2020, embarked on the construction of a multi-million cedi Gyamadudu Museum at Heman, which project is 90 percent complete.
The Museum, together with a Community Centre, is expected to be commissioned by the close of the year.
When completed, the Museum would add to the existing ones in the Ashanti Region, and Ghana in general, to help preserve the cultural heritage of the people of Ashanti and sustain traditional norms, customs and practices and usage as his legacy.
The Gyamadudu Museum, which sits on a 10-acre piece of land, comprises nine interlinking domes to accommodate precious cultural exhibits, collections and artifacts.
It also has spaces for statutes and images of Ashanti Kings and Queenmothers and eminent personalities, including the occupant of the Golden Stool, Opemsuo Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, Nana Nyarko Kusi Amoah, the first Asantehemaa, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, and the legendary Nana Yaa Asantewaa of Ejisu.
The Museum also has a place of honour for statesmen like Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President; Nelson Mandela of South Africa; Col. Muamar Gaddafi of Libya, and Emperor Haile Selaisie of Ethiopia, and features prominently images of freedom fighters across the globe within its walls decorated with Adinkra symbols.
Also at the Museum is a the centre for the production of designer Kente cloths and a African stool regalia to add value to such cultural items for packaging and branding.
Nana Hemanhene intends to embark on a water project and the construction of ceremonial durbar grounds in a community centre project which is likely to be commissioned along the Gyamadudu Museum soon.
Three years after Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan became Chief of Heman, the African Heroes Foundation (AHF) International conferred an honorary doctorate degree on him in recognition of his outstanding dedication and contribution towards sustainable development in Ghana.
Nana Apau Wiafe Sanwoansan has expressed gratitude to Madam Sunderland Adwoa Dawn, Executive Director of Bridge-To-Africa Connection (BTAC), and its circle of partners and supporters for supporting the Museum project, which is now a centre of attraction for all visiting African Americans to Ghana.
