By Alex Boye
The principal Elders of the Dowuona Royal Family of Osu in the Greater Accra Region have set the record straight on one William Nortey Dowuona who the family claims is not the legal head of their family.
The family disclosed at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday that William Nortey Dowuona had been destooled as the family head and thus replaced with Solomon Samuel Dowuona years ago due to his health implications.
Addressing the media Secretary of the Dowuona Royal Family, Stephen Nii Noi Dowuona, said, “Our new head of family has been, Mr. Solomon Samuel Dowuona over the years. He is respectful, dedicated, committed and peaceful. He puts the interest of the family ahead of his needs, a former regional manager of British American Tobacco Company”
According to him, on Saturday, 31st day of July, 2021, the Council of Elders of the Dowuona Royal Family of Osu met at the Dowuona Royal Stool House; Kpowulunor, Osu Kinka-We in relation to the Planning of the Final funeral rites of the late Osu Mantse Ni Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI and the need for the family to have a new head of family, saying that after series of deliberations at the said meeting, the Council of Elders agreed to destool or uninstall William Nortey Dowuona as head of family due to health implications and other reasons and then replace him with the next of kin or someone more vibrant, adding that the meeting was held in the presence of William Nortey Dowuona also which he equally agreed and accepted the decision to be uninstalled and also requested for a formal letter to that effect.
Stephen Dowuona disclosed that all the necessary customary rites, being the pouring of libation, were performed to effect the decision.
“On Wednesday, 4th August 2021, the Council met at the Dowuona Royal Stool House; Kpowulunor to select and install the new head of family, where Solomon Samuel Dowuona was rightfully nominated and selected as the next of kin and libation was poured to affect his installation.
A memorandum letter dated the 11th of August 2021, with “Subject; Transition of the outgone Head of Family of the Dowuona Royal Family to the current Head of Family of the Dowuona Royal Family” was disseminated to all principal houses within the four quarters of Osu and same was delivered to the registrar; Madam Agnes Koranteng of the Osu Traditional Council informing them about the family’s initiative.
The council of elders then wrote to formally inform William Nortey Dowuona about Solomon Samuel Dowuona’s appointment as the new head of family, “he also stated.
He further said “Statutory Declaration by Elders of the Dowuona Council Affirming and Confirming Destoolment of William Nortey Dowuona as Head of Family of the Dowuona Royal Family of Osu Kinka-We” was signed and sealed before the Commissioner for Oaths on the 7th day of September, 2021 by members of the council of elders”.
The Family Secretary indicated that, William Nortey Dowuona is not the former head of the Dowuona Royal Family and warned that anyone who transacts business with him in the name of the Dowuona Royal Family, does so at their own peril.
He therefore directed the general public that any transactions or matters concerning the Dowuona Royal Family and / or OSU Stool lands and OSU chieftaincy should be channeled through Mr. Solomon Samuel Dowuona
He disclosed that the Dowuona Royal Stool house Kpowulunor was inherited by King Fredrick Ni Noi Dowuona I aka Fetreke the first son of Ni Nortei Dowuona I, hence the head of all descendants of Ni Nortei Dowuona I.
“Furthermore, we would like to state categorically that, the Dowuona Royal Family is not a party to the ongoing consolidated suit challenging the capacity and legitimacy of the three (3) claimants to the OSU Stool at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Dodowa.
We are making it clearer that the family hasn’t authorized William Nortey Dowuona to represent the Dowuona Royal Family in the ongoing suit at Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Dodowa
The Dowuona Royal Family formally disassociate it’s from the pending suit and has not filed any suit against any of the claimants to the OSU Stool at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs; Dodowa yet” he stated
