Goaso traditional council condemns attack at Manhyia Palace

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 5 May ?99

The Goaso Traditional Council has condemned the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) accusing it of conspiring with the ex-queen mother of Goaso, Nana Yaa Akyaa to attack and drag into disrepute the good name of the Paramount Chief of the area, Krotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo.

The Council warned that it might be forced to advise itself if Goaso chiefs, particularly the paramount chief, would be made the target of harassment and assault when they visit the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

This was contained in a statement read on behalf of the Council by the Krontihene of Goaso, Nana Yaahyira Poku at a news conference at Sunyani on Tuesday.

The conference was a reaction to recent media reports about an alleged clash between the ex-queen mother and Kotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo, at an oath swearing ceremony in honour of the new Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on April 26.

Nana Poku said Krotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo's strong and principled resistance to attempts by the KTC to extend its jurisdiction to the Goaso Traditional area has made him unpopular to some of the members of KTC.

It is for this reason that after conspiring with Nana Akyaa to prevent Krotwimansa Adjei Ampofo from swearing his oath of allegiance to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, some members of the council caused a false publication that the Goaso Paramount chief had assaulted the ex-queen mother.

Nana Akyaa alias Yaa Mabre is not the queen mother of Goaso as she was destooled about six years ago by her own family members, the occupants of the Goaso Krontire stool, Nana Opoku stated.

The Goaso traditional council questioned the rationale for giving official permission for an ex-queen mother to invoke the Great Oath of Asante at Manhyia to prevent the Goasohene from swearing his oath of allegiance.

Nana Opoku denied that the Goasohene had been disrespectful to the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II by refusing to heed his summons on three occasions, arguing that if that was the case, then, some of the Kumasi chiefs would have been the first to disclose it and not Nana Akyaa.

He said the attack on Krotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo by thugs hired by Nana Akyaa was not the first of its kind as some other chiefs from Goaso have suffered a similar fate during visits to Manhyia.

Nana Opoku, on behalf of the Goaso Traditional Council apologised to the

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the "disgraceful behaviour of Nana Akyaa, which nearly marred his colourful installation".

The chiefs and people of Goaso would continue to remain solidly behind their Omanhene, Krontwiamansa Adjei Ampofo, because he has "proved to be a strong and progressive leader in spite of attempts to muddy his reputation", Nana Opoku said.

Nana Opoku on behalf of the traditional council wished Otumfuo Osei Tutu II a peaceful and successful reign, and expressed the hope that his rule would mark a watershed in the chieftaincy institution, where traditions and customs would be cherished by all.

Present at the news conference were the Adontehene, Nana Opoku Agyemang and the queen mother of Goaso, Nana Kusi Boadum Akyeampomaa, who expressed her displeasure about the media falsely implicating her in the alleged brawl at Manhyia.

Nana Opoku, Nana Opoku Agyekum, Adontenhene, Nana Owusu Akyaw, Nifahene and Nana Adu Poku, Twafohene signed the statement.