By Adu Koranteng
Abakoma Henefie clan of Akwatia is gearing up for a massive celebration after a victory in a long chieftaincy dispute against the Akwatia Hene.
The Abakoma Henefie clan which won this long standing dispute against the Akwatia Hene is planning a massive celebration to welcome home all its family members in the diaspora. The dispute traveled through the legal and the traditional system for 24 years and ended with a victory for the Abakoma Hene clan which was initially detached from the Oman Hene stool.
The National House of Chiefs ruled that each of the two parties must ascend the throne in turns, that’s the Abakomahene Clan will ascend the throne in the absence of the current Chief of Akwatia.
The ruling also stated that both the Akwatia Hene clan and the Abakuma Hene Clan should take equal turns to occupy the Akwatia Stool.
The Paramount chief of Akwatia, Nana Kofi Boateng III in 1995 barred any member of the Abakoma Hene clan from contesting to become a paramount chief when the seat was vacant.
However the decision by the Akwatia hene was contested in a Koforidua High Court and was won by the Abakoma Hene. However, the Akwatia hene who was not satisfied made an appeal at the Regional House of Chiefs and a Judgment was made against Him and in favor of the Abakoma Hene
The Akwatia Hene was still not satisfied so he hauled the case before the National House of Chiefs and after detailed investigations and deliberation a ruling was made against him He lost the case against the Abakomahene clan.
A ruling at the national House of chiefs is regarded as the Supreme ruling in Ghana’s traditional system. The ruling therefore means that the Abakoma Hene clan is part of the Royal family and all clans in the royal family are equal and any member of the various clans can contest and become paramount chief of Akwatia.
The AbakomaHenefie Mmarimmamu Abusuapanyin, Nana Kofi Ampofo described the final ruling as a victory for the people of Akwatia and said all parties should adhere to the ruling and live in peace in Akwatia. He said through peace there would be development in Akwatia,
“This is a great victory for the AbakomaHenefie Mmarimmamu Abusua and we are proud of it. The era of divide and rule in Akwatia is over. We are all one people and will live in Peace for the growth of Akwatia”, he stated.
