Akropong chieftaincy row deepens -MCE calls for unity

Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikins, popularly known as Addo-Aikins Jr., called for calm and urged all parties to pursue internal resolution through established traditional and legal channels in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Sunday. He emphasized that Ghana's chieftaincy framework, as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and the Chieftaincy Act, clearly mandates that such disputes fall within the jurisdiction of the Regional House of Chiefs, particularly its Judicial Committee. He noted that these bodies remain the appropriate authorities to adjudicate matters affecting paramountcies such as Akuapem.

The current controversy stems from disagreements during the process leading to the installation of the Okuapehene, including claims that due customary procedures were not followed. Available records show earlier legal challenges, especially those initiated by the late Abrewatia Lily Agyeman, over her alleged exclusion from the nomination process were addressed by the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs. The Judicial Committee subsequently ordered a restart of the process in accordance with tradition. The nomination and installation processes reportedly proceeded under the supervision of recognized kingmakers and traditional authorities, but the queen mother's faction is said to have withdrawn cooperation and later formed a pressure group challenging the legitimacy of the installed Okuapehene. The Okuapehene has since been officially gazetted.

There are now renewed calls for all parties to return to the appropriate chieftaincy dispute resolution mechanisms, particularly the Regional House of Chiefs, to seek a final and binding resolution.