Gomoa Ekwamkrom is sitting on a ticking time bomb; following a looming chieftaincy dispute allegedly ignited by the Omanhene of Gomoa Ajumako traditional area, Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI.
The raging chieftaincy dispute with far reaching security implications for the residents, has been necessitated by an order allegedly given by Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI to have a rival Odikro installed, an order that contradicts an earlier ruling by his own Judicial Committee.
Per his order, the Omanhen has given the green light to get one Dr Edmund Ekow Kaitoo who hails from the Ewuahaa section of the Royal family installed as Odikro of Ekwamkrom.
This decision and action by the Omanhen have ignited a protracted chieftaincy dispute that has set the community on high stakes of security threat as factions from both sides are gearing up in what be a fierce confrontation that may likely lead to bloodshed in the coming days.
The reinvention of this chieftaincy dispute is due to a fact that Mr Gabriel Jerrom Ocran from the Ekwam section of the Royal family, was installed Odikro of the community in 2017 as Nana Kobina Ekwam X.
However, his installation was challenged and this resulted in a chieftaincy dispute which was referred to the Omanhen and the traditional council for settlement.
The judicial committee of Gomoa Ajumako traditional council adjudicated the matter and determined that the Ekwam section is the sole owners of the Odikro Stool.
The ruling stated authoritatively that only the Ekwam section has the exclusive legitimacy, traditional power and authority to enstool a chief.
The judgement further indicated that if the other two sections may ascend the stool, an express permission, authority and approval must be given by the Ekwam section of the Royal Family.
This judgement was dated 28th March, 2019 in a matter between Ebusuapanyin Ewudzie Coleman [plaintiff] vs. Ebusuapanyin Kojo Acquah and Mr Ocran [defendants]
The high court, Agona Swedru later affirmed the decision of the judicial committee in a judgement dated February 12, 2020 in a case between Ebusuapanyin Ewudzie Coleman and Nana Kofi Edu [applicants] vs. Ebusuapanyin Kojo Acquah and Mr. Ocran [defendants].
However, the aggrieved parties, Kwaagyaa and Ewuahaa section and others have since failed to appeal against any of the said judgements since it was given in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Omanhen is alleged to have authorized the two other sections to install a new family head and a chief without the consent or approval of the Ekwam section who are the owners of the stool.
Nevertheless, the substantive family head by name Kojo Acquah had not been destooled.
This alleged action by the Omanhen which has provoked the Ekwam section and heighten the stakes is that he has allegedly authorised the newly installed chief to procure his own stool other than the original Ekwam Odikro Stool.
This means that a new Odikro Stool is created making it two in the community, a practice that is completely alien to the customs and traditions of the town.
Following this, the Ekwam section led by Nana Kobina Ekwam X sent a petition to the Central Regional House of Chiefs in Cape Coast to look into the matter.
The arbitration committee of the Regional House determined that the chieftaincy laws of the country do not support the Omanhen’s conduct and that the Ekwam Odikro Stool was not vacant in the first place to warrant installation of another.
The arbitration committee of the Central Regional House of Chiefs further recommended that the name of newly installed Odikro be expunged from the National Register of Chiefs and insert the name of Nana Kobina Ekwam X.
According to the ruling of the arbitration committee of Central Regional House of Chiefs dated 3rd December, 2024 in the matter between: Nana Kobina Ekwam X vs. Dr. Edmund Ekow Kaitoo the Omanhen had allegedly used fictitious documents to aid in the cancellation of the substantive chief’s name from the register.
The Omanhen is alleged to be vehement on his stance or agenda after the ruling of the Regional House of Chiefs thereby defying orders in support of the newly installed chief.
Due to this alleged tacit support of the Omanhen, Dr Kaitoo (Ewuahaa II) is also emboldened to defy an injunction and contempt applications served on him not to hold himself out as the Odikro of the community.
The impunity is that he went ahead to defy an order from High Court, Agona Swedru which was secured by the Ghana Police service, Agona Swedru Division against him and Nana Ekwam X not to celebrate Akwambo festival and/ or Dadzeban rituals.
The police secured the injunction to avert possible clash of supporters of the two chiefs.
With what happened in Agona Abodom recently, there may be serious security implications and lives may be lost in the community as a result of actions of the Omanhen.
