Correspondence from the Eastern Region

Chiefs, queenmothers and principal elders of the Odau Group under the Benkum Division of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area have distanced themselves from what they describe as a “rebellious” posture by the Chief of Etwereso and leader of the Odau Group, Daasebre Ofosu Kwabi Ayebiahwe, against the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.

The group, comprising traditional leaders from Buadua, Kwae, Banka, Ahweamu, Subi, Mmronam, Adubease, Chia, Odumase Pramkese, Osenase, among others, condemned recent public statements attributed to the Etweresohene challenging the authority of the Okyenhene.

“We have heard and watched with dismay the statements and videos issued by the Chief of Etwereso denying Osagyefo Amoatia as his Overlord. We wish to make it abundantly clear that we reject those statements entirely.

"The Okyenhene is our Overlord. He has been the Overlord of our fathers, and he remains the Overlord of us and our children yet unborn. Any chief who denies this truth denies the very foundation upon which our chieftaincy stands and must face the consequences,” Barima Amo Gyabi, Ahweamuhene, stated.

The development follows assertions by the Etweresohene that Etwereso was never conquered by Akyem and only voluntarily joined Okyeman, insisting he would withdraw allegiance to the Okyenhene if he is unable to install his preferred candidate as Osenasehene.

In response, principal elders of the Odau Group, at a meeting with the Akyem Abuakwa State Standing Committee held at the Ofori Panin Fie in Kyebi, formally disassociated themselves from the position.

“We wish to state clearly, and without any ambiguity, that our allegiance remains solely and wholly with His Majesty Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyenhene and rightful Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa. From time immemorial, our stools and allegiance have been subordinate to the Ofori Panin Stool of Akyem Abuakwa. No chief, however loud his voice or bold his declarations, can sever what custom and ancestry have joined us together over these centuries.

"We hereby state in no uncertain terms that we have never given our consent to any breakaway from the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council under the leadership of Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, and we never shall,” Barima Amo Gyabi added.

The Chief of Pramkese, Barima Kwasi Frimpong, also rejected claims by the Etweresohene that Etwereso constitutes an independent kingdom.

“We completely and publicly denounce the declaration of an ‘Odau Kingdom’ by the Chief of Etwereso. We know of no such kingdom in the history of our land. Our towns are not and shall never be part of any newly invented false paramountcy. If the Chief of Etwereso wishes to pursue this path alone, that is a matter between him and his conscience. But he does not speak for us, and he does not represent us. He carries no authority to place our towns under any flag other than that of Okyeman,” he said.

The traditional leaders further called for calm over the Osenase chieftaincy dispute and urged all parties to allow due process to prevail.

“While we strongly denounce the actions of the Chief of Etwereso, we are not warmongers. We call on all parties to remain calm. We believe that the rightful place for this matter is before the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and the appropriate judicial committees, not in the marketplace of public insults, or the unruly social media, press, or self-declared kingdoms. We call on the Chief of Etwereso to retract his statements and return to the path of custom, respect, and lawful procedure,” Barima Kwasi Frimpong stated.

The resolution, signed by Bankahemaa Obaapanin Anima Fremo; Barima Kwasi Frimpong II, Pramkesehene; Regent of Osenase, Nana Asafo Agyei; Buaduahene, Barima Kwasi Agyakwa; Subihene, Barima Amoah Bosompem III; Kwaehene, Barima Kwaku Amankwa III; Ahweamuhene, Barima Kwaku Amo Gyabi; Queenmother of Chia, Obaapanin Ntiamoah Buadua; and Abusuapanin Addo Dankwa, called on the Okyenhene to accept their position as a demonstration of their unwavering loyalty to the Ofori Panin Stool.