Peace at last in Akuapem

From: Stephen A.Quaye, Newark-New Jersey, USA.

It was expression of joy when members of the Okuapemman Association in USA and Canada heard the news that all the Akuapem divisional chiefs have signed an unconditional peace accord to remain united for tranquility in the area.

The Akuapem North Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. George Opare Addo, broke the news at durbar to mark this year’s annual Odwira/ Ohum festival by OKUSACA in Newark, New Jersey-USA on August 31, 2013.

Mr. George Opare Addo, on behalf of the divisional chiefs read the press statement issued and signed on August 27, 2013 at the Eastern Regional Co-coordinating Council, Koforidua to the gathering.

According to the chiefs, after about 20 years of conflict among them that has created so much distress to their people, they came to the painful realization that nothing meaningful was gained through the needless conflict. On contrary, it only created disunity, led to a waste of resources on managing the conflict which dented their cultural heritage, drawn the developmental aspirations of the area back, created disenchantment and despair among their young ones and damaged the brotherly love that should have bound them as one people with single destiny, the chiefs observed.

“We have realized that the solution to our disagreement does not lie in the law courts where a lot of productive time has been wasted, but that the key to a lasting solution lies with our own selves and this within our power only” they posited.

On that the chiefs declared unconditional truce to sign an unconditional peace accord and to declare their solidarity with each other as one family since there is an adage which says that “in unity lies strength” the chiefs stated.

They took the opportunity to call on all their subjects both home and abroad to recognize the peace accord and dedicate themselves to maintaining peace and unity in their municipality so that together they can forge ahead to accelerate the pace of development that will ensure improved life of the people.

Nananom , expressed their profound gratitude to all individuals and organizations who continued to stand by them in their moment of trials and encouraged them to come thus far.

They urged them to continue supporting them to help the peace pipe that they are smoking today to stand the test of time for the benefit of the future generations in particular and the country Ghana as a whole.

The chief’s agreement to reach peace accord as was read by the municipal chief executive received a thunderous applause from the gathering where members congratulated themselves having worked so hard to broker peace among the divisional chiefs.

Executives of OKUSACA as told to the chiefs were ever ready to support the chiefs in both cash and in kind to perform the last ritual that will put the seal on the accord.

Formerly, the traditional greeting or slogan that was exchanged by the good people of Akuapem Traditional Area was “OFIE, OFIE P33” to wit” home sweet home”. But for about two decades ago, the greeting or the slogan as was being exchanged by these people was not giving meaning to what was happening or situation back home in Akuapem as there was chieftaincy disputes among the divisional chiefs.

Not happy about the situation which never helped in developing the area, OKUSACA, through its able leaders pushed for peace and reconciliation for those chiefs who were locked in fisticuffs.

Bent on ensuring peace in the area, the association adopted a meaningful slogan which sounded like this,” Ofie, Biakoye” to wit “peace and unity”, kept on pressing for the chiefs to come together and smoke the peace pipe.

Finally, on August 27, 2013, all the divisional chiefs in Akuapem Traditional Area, came together to sign the peace accord which is now referred to as the “Koforidua Peace Accord”.

It was remarkable as all the five divisional chiefs of Okuapemman were present at the durbar in Newark except the Aburihene Otobuo Gyan Kwesi, who was represented. Conspicuously present at the durbar were Nana Otutu Kono III, Adukromhene, Nana Osim Kwatia II, Amanokromhene/Akuapem Gyaasehene, Osahene Ofei Kwesi Agyeman IV, Akuapem Krontihene.

The rest were, Osaberima Enyine Asiedu Okoo Ababio III, Lartehene, Nana Saforo Okwampah III, Apiredihene, Nana Kwasi Tetebo Afoakwa, Manfe Abontendom Hene, Nana Yaw Asiedu I, Larteh Mawere Hene and Okyeame Yirenkyi. Members of OKUSACA, praised their leaders for their hard work and even supporting the divisional chiefs to participate in the festival which gave a lot of meaning to the fact that they have indeed reached peace.

The OKUSACA chapter in Atlanta, Georgia in USA will host the festival next year.