Public Agenda (Accra)
Frederick Asiamah
2 October 2009
Nana Osei Boakye Yiadom II, chief of Adamorobe in the Akuapim Anafo Traditional Area, has been accused of thwarting the development of the town after securing an injunction against the construction of a clinic by the Queen mother, Nana Afua Asantewaa I.
The two, despite belonging to the Kwakwasiampong Asakyiri family, are said to be at loggerheads following the chief's refusal to recognize the queen mother who was enstooled three years ago. According to elders of the town, the chief (a woman) resides at Aburi and has not set foot in the town for seven years while the queen mother has been undertaking a number of development projects, the latest being the clinic.
The development has incensed the people of the town, leading them to petition Nana Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, Omanhene of Akuapim Anafo and chief of Aburi, requesting him to bring Nana Osei Boakye Yiadom II to order.
Recently, Osafohene Asong Kwasi led scores of demonstrating youth and elders clad in red and black apparels to Aburi, about three kilometers away, to present their petition which among other things stated that the chief "is causing environmental unrest in our town; she has no respect for us the people she is ruling."
Nana Osei Boakye Yiadom II was not available for comment.
The petition, signed by Osafohene Asong and endorsed by all six families of Adamorobe, accused the chief of divisive rule and troublemaking, leading to attacks on sub-chiefs by cohorts of the chief.
"The chief has on so many occasions disturbed us. She is the cause of all the problems in our town...She has refused us but sits back and instigate her people to fight us. She and her group have on several occasions threatened us with land guards," the petition said.
On the contrary, "Nana Afua Asantewaa I has been very helpful to us. She respects us as one people with common destiny," the petition further stated.
The petition therefore demanded that the chief renders an unqualified apology to the queen mother.
Presenting the petition, Okyeame Apeadu, chief linguist of Adamorobe, told Nana Otoobour Djan Kwasi II that the troubles of Adamorobe were too daunting and the town required his intervention.
Accepting the petition, the Omanhene said he was pleased that the town did not resort to war but decided to petition. He pledged to see to the resolution of the impasse immediately after the celebration of the Odwira festival which begins on October 5.
In the mean time, he has tasked Nana Owusu Aduonu, Gyaasehene of Adamorobe to lead the people peacefully and preserve lives pending the resolution of the matter.
Earlier, the Gyaasehene told Public Agenda that the town's progress had become impossible because of the chief's actions.
Afua Mama, a member of the Agona family, said the chief has disappointed the people, especially women. "She does not even talk to us the young women to know our problems."
According to Mama, the people lack jobs and only engage in stone quarrying. "We no longer want her," she stressed.
Constance Amanor (alias Mama), leader of the women red army, said the chief is a woman but has failed to promote the development of women. "We have no jobs and no skills."
She alleged that the chief has insulted the people of Adamorobe on several occasions. But the queen mother has demonstrated respect for the people and "meets the women and speaks to us like mother and children."
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