One shot dead at Omanhene's Out-dooring

One person was shot dead and three others were arrested, following an attack on the Police by a section of the youth of Nsoatre, in Brong Ahafo region of Ghana, who were bent on disrupting the outdooring of the new Omanhene (paramount chief).

The Police, who said six of their members were also injured by stones thrown by the irate youth, did not disclose the identity of the deceased. Police were deployed in the town to provide security during the outdooring of Obrempong Nana Boachie Amoa-Kromansah II, the new Omanhene.

Known in private life as Professor Kwabena Oppong-Boachie, the Omanhene is the Director of the Council for Scientific Research into Plan Medicine (CSRIP) at Akuapem Mampong.

Mr David Ampah-Benin, Superintendent of Police in charge of the Sunyani District told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that for some days now, a group of young men of the Twabiri Royal Family, whose candidate lost to Professor Boachie in the selection of a new Omanhene, had besieged the palace.

The Police, however, did not go to the town today to attack them, but to ensure peace and security during the ceremony, he said.

The Police Commander said the youth, armed with offensive weapons and expecting a fierce confrontation with the Police, became disappointed when they realised that the Police would not come to the palace.

They, therefore, marched closer to the Police, who had assembled in front of the Nsoatre Police Station and pelted the peace officers with stones, using catapults, he said.

Mr Ampah-Benin said in the process some of the policemen were wounded and this incensed them to arrest three of the young men whose identity he did not disclose.

He said the irate youth smashed passing vehicles with stones thus forcing drivers to divert their route to other parts of the town.

The new Omanhene, who later held a reception for guests at his private residence in Fiapre, near Sunyani, upon the advice of the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council (REGSEC), described the incident as "very unfortunate".

"Three out of the four royal gates of the town are behind me and it is my prayer and hope that the opposing royal family would see reason with the seven out of nine kingmakers who selected me."

He said the development of the town is more important to him than the hue and cry of his opponents.

Nana Kromansa explained that the outdooring ceremony is not necessarily part of the enstoolment and installation rites. "I decided to do it to expose the town for development assistance in the immediate future because it is a relatively big area, but lacks development."

Nana Asuama Kesse II, Queenmother, who is also an aunt of the new Omanhene, wondered why the chief's opponents should over-re-act over the issue.

The Omanhene had gone through all the due processes of nomination, selection, enstoolment and installation, so, if they had any misgivings about his selection, they should have raised an objection earlier.

"Not now that he has sworn the customary oath of allegiance, and the entire chiefs of the traditional council have also sworn to recognise and work with him as their overlord," she said.

Nana Ohene Afoakwa, the most senior member of the Nsesreso Royal Family (clan of the new Omanhene) regretted that the occupation of the palace by the youth had prevented the registrar and his staff, who are public servants from going to work.

He appealed to the REGSEC to intervene, for an amicable settlement of the issue to restore peace in the area.