Media urged to be cautious in reporting on Akwamu Traditional Council

Koforidua, Jan. 31, GNA - The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo has appealed to the media to be circumspect in their reportage on the funeral of Odehye Kyeremanten Afrani of the Akwamu Traditional Area.

He advised media personnel to follow the announcements on the funeral which is scheduled for February 5, 2011 at Akwamu Fie in the Asuogyaman District.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the appeal at the weekend, when he presented an amount of 5,500 Ghana Cedis to the funeral Committee at Koforidua, on the behalf of President J.E.A. Mills.

He said the amount was part of the peace-building efforts to support the bereaved family The late Odehye Afrani, 76, was enstooled as the Paramount Chief of th= e Akwamu Traditional Area to succeed the late Nana Kwarfo Akoto who died in 1992 but the enstoolment was challenged and the dispute continued for 18 years till his death on December 7, 2009.

After his death, the status under which Odehye Afrani should be buried became a source of conflict which threatened the peace in the Akwamu Traditional Area, as a result of which the Asuogyaman District Security Council and the Eastern Regional Security Council had to intervene to ensur= e peace in the area.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said during the funeral, the Eastern Regional Police Command would send extra policemen to beef up the security that would be provided by the Asuogyaman District Police Command. The Minister warned that during the funeral celebration, nobody would be allowed to fire musketry or carry any firearms. The Krontihene of the Akwamu Traditional Area, Nana Asare Akowuah on behalf the Traditional Council and the bereaved family, thanked the government and the Regional Security Council for its support.