10-year chieftaincy conflict successfully resolved

Sefwi-Anhwiaso (W/R), Aug. 19, GNA - A long-standing conflict between Nana Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Omanhene of Sefwi-Anhwiaso Traditional Area on one side and Nana Ago Botwe II, Queen and other divisional chiefs on the other side, was amicably resolved with a symbolic embrace of each other to seal off the peace deal. The historic event, which took place last Monday was mediated by Mr Kingsley Agyei-Manu, the District Chief Executive for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai.

The Queenmother's faction therefore returned to the Omanhene's palace for the first time in 10 years, where a sheep was slaughtered as part of traditional rites to signify the end of conflict. At the ceremony, which drew a thick crowd to the palace, Nana Gyebi commended the DCE for his efforts at the historic reconciliation and called on supporters of both factions to bury their differences to ensure the peace needed for the development of the area, stalled over the period by the conflict.

Nana Ago Botwe thanked the clergy of faith-based organisations, religious bodies and the district assembly for the key roles they played to initiate the arbitration process.

She pledged not to harbour any information that had the tendency to create another conflict and called on chieftaincy contractors in the area to stay completely out of chieftaincy affairs to enable the area move forward in its development agenda.

The District Chief Executive thanked the two factions for agreeing to "bury the hatchet" and smoke peace pipe. Mr Agyei-Manu called on the traditional council to use royalties to institute scholarship schemes for brilliant but needy children.