A dispute over the final funeral rites of the late Nana Nyanfeku Nyieku II has escalated tensions in the royal town of Nyanfeku Ekroful, as rival factions clash over traditional protocol and succession rights.
The Pramado gate of the Nyanfeku Twidan Adehye Family, led by its heads: Abusuapanyin Kojo Afful and Ebusuapanyin Kwesi Embil, issued a public notice asserting their authority over the funeral arrangements.
They argued that all customary rites for Nana Nyieku II, a royal from their gate, should proceed only with their express consent.
According to the Pramado gate, no final arrangements can proceed without a substantive chief, while disputes over succession are pending before the Abura Traditional Council.
This contention stems partly from the position of Ebusuapanyin Kofi Appiah, the current family head of the Twidan Family, who reportedly withdrew from funeral preparations for Nana Nyieku II.
Appiah allegedly declared to the Omanfo that he would not engage in the customary rites, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the proceedings.
Moreover, the dispute has sparked broader legal action. Representatives of the Pramado gate filed a writ requesting an injunction to halt any attempts by Appiah and his supporters to conduct funeral arrangements without family approval.
Allegations against the opposing faction include claims of intimidation and attempts to establish an illegitimate succession.
The Pramado gate’s lawyer cited frequent absences and delayed responses from the defendants during hearings, causing significant delays in the case’s resolution.
Amid these legal and cultural complexities, residents of Nyanfeku Ekroful fear the situation could disrupt community peace.
The Pramado gate maintains that the Traditional Council should not endorse any funeral plans until succession is settled. Calls for intervention by regional authorities have been made to ensure justice and to mediate the situation, which, if unresolved, threatens to destabilize the town’s social harmony during this period of mourning.
Background: A Royal Legacy at Stake
Per court documents filed, Nana Nyanfeku Nyieku II, who hailed from the Pramado gate, one of the key royal divisions within the Nyanfeku Twidan Adehye Family, left behind a legacy that both his family and the larger community wish to honor.
As per tradition, funeral arrangements and final rites for such a figure are paramount, requiring meticulous observance of customary practices and family consensus.
However, the Pramado gate claims that these rites are being undermined by internal conflicts, including a pending case over his succession before the Abura Traditional Council.
In a formal public notice, the heads of the Pramado gate—Abusuapanyin Kojo Afful and Ebusuapanyin Kwesi Embil—insisted on their gate’s exclusive rights to control all customs related to the late Nana Nyieku II.
They argued that proceeding without their approval would dishonor Nana Nyieku’s legacy and disregard cultural protocol. “Only the Pramado gate has the legitimate authority over Nana Nyieku II’s rites, as he was from our lineage,” they stated in their notice, demanding that any planning await a final ruling on the contested chieftaincy.
Central to the issue is a dispute over who will succeed Nana Nyieku II.
The Pramado gate asserts that no individual has yet been officially enstooled as chief, as a case regarding the rightful successor remains unresolved before the Abura Traditional Council.
Traditionally, funeral rites cannot be conducted until a successor is appointed, ensuring an unbroken line of leadership. But the contention over succession has slowed this process, with both the Pramado gate and Ebusuapanyin Kofi Appiah’s supporters staking claims.
The Pramado gate’s representatives allege that Ebusuapanyin Appiah—who currently holds the family head position for the Twidan Family—has sought to unilaterally proceed with plans for the funeral, defying their traditional rights and disregarding the still-unresolved chieftaincy dispute.
They claim that Appiah previously declared his withdrawal from any customary involvement with the rites, a move they argue disqualifies him from organizing the event.
In response to the escalating conflict, the Pramado gate filed a legal suit against Ebusuapanyin Appiah and other supporters.
The lawsuit seeks a declaration affirming their sole right to control the rites and an injunction to prevent Appiah and his faction from taking any steps without family consent.
The Pramado gate is pushing for a swift resolution, calling on higher regional authorities to either expedite the ruling or transfer the case to another forum for an unbiased decision.
The Abura Traditional Council, meanwhile, faces scrutiny for its handling of the matter.
Allegations of favoritism have surfaced, with the Pramado gate asserting that certain council members are allowing Appiah to wield power illegitimately, despite a 1996 ruling by the Central Regional House of Chiefs that, they say, should have prevented him from holding authority over chieftaincy affairs.
Citing the stakes involved, the Pramado gate expressed concern that rushing the funeral without resolving the chieftaincy dispute would set a dangerous precedent for royal and family protocols.
They argue that the late Nana Nyanfeku Nyieku II’s legacy would be tainted by such discord and that respecting these customs is essential to honor his memory.
“We cannot proceed with the funeral until the rightful successor is appointed and we have the express consent of our family head. We ask for the council’s patience and understanding to ensure the traditions we hold dear are preserved,” said a Pramado family representative.
