B/A House of Chiefs quash petition against Obrempong Kromansah

Sunyani (B/A), Aug. 25, GNA – The Judicial Committee of Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, has struck off a petition brought before it against Obrempong Boachie Amoah Kromansah II, Paramount Chief of Nsoatre Traditional Area, for want of prosecution.

A statement signed by Mr. Alexander Kofi Essien, registrar of the House, copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, stated that the petitioner, Nana Boadanpanin Dadee Oworodom, who also laid claim to the Nsoatre throne, had never appeared before the committee, ever since the petition was presented in 2007.

It noted that the committee, which was chaired by Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, Bechemhene, with Nana Ansa Adu-Baah II, Yamfohene, and Odeneho Kutu Ayim Baffour, Nsawkawhene as members, called the case but the petitioner was absent and he was represented by Kyere Kwame, Abakomahene Kyeame of Nsoatre.

The statement said Obrempong Kromansah, known in private life as Professor Kwabena Oppong-Boachie, was represented by Nana Kofi Ameyaw but the second respondent Nana Ampaabeng Kyeremeh, Krontihene of Nsoatre, is deceased.

It said that the third respondent, Nana Bediako Ababio, head of Nsesreso Royal Family, Nsoatre, was present whilst the fourth respondent, Nana Asuamah Kerse II, Queenmother of Nsoatre, was absent but she was represented by her sister, Ms. Mary Gyamaa.

The statement said Mr. Tua Yeboah, a Sunyani-based lawyer and counsel for respondents, as well as lawyer Peter Kwadwo Owoadzie Mensah, counsel for the House, were present but Nana Obiri Boahen, also a Sunyani-based legal practitioner and counsel for the petitioner, “has written to withdraw his representation and the petitioners are aware”.

It said the Omanhene of Sunyani, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri, had informed the committee that he did his best to settle the impasse between the two parties but to no avail.

The statement said: “The committee has no option than to rule that this action be struck off for want of prosecution”, adding that a cost of GHC5, 000.00 was awarded in favour of respondents.

It said the petitioner when asked by counsel for his comment in response to the verdict of the panel and the cost awarded, his representative (Abakomahene Kyeame) with his entourage showed total contempt for the committee as he retorted: “As for the cost of GHC 5,000.00 we cannot pay” and with that he led his group to walk out while the committee was sitting.

The Nsoatre chieftaincy dispute started in 2001 with the process of nomination, election and enstoolment of a successor to the late Omanhene of the Traditional Area, Nana Hinneh Kwasi II, who died in the latter part of 2000.

Reports from the traditional council indicated that the nomination and election of a successor took place successfully and Professor Oppong-Boachie was customarily enstooled and he swore the oath of allegiance and office to the divisional chiefs, who in turn swore the oath of allegiance to him.

When the new chief was about to be out-doored, the event turned violent because a faction, which was against the enstoolment also enstooled a rival chief, Nana Oworodom.

In March 2007, Nana Oworodom petitioned the Regional House of Chiefs, seeking declaration that Prof. Oppong-Boachie was not a royal from Nsoatre and was, therefore, ineligible to be considered for nomination, let alone laying claim to the stool.

The petitioner sought a declaration that he was the paramount chief of Nsoatre, as well as an order of perpetual injunction to prohibit the respondent from making any claim to the stool.