The Western North Regional Minister, Richard Ebbah Obeng, has been allegedly fingered in the recent assassination attempt on the Omanhene of the Aowin Tradional Area, Beyeeman Tano Kwame Benbuin III.
The allegation has gained traction in Enchi owing to the fact that for some strange reasons, the Regional Minister has refused to answer calls from the Paramount Chief and other opinion leaders in the area. Various interventions by the chiefs, the clergy and prominent leaders in Enchi have been by the Regional Minister.
This has been considered as unfortunate looking at the role the Omanhene played in his vetting and appointment to his current position.
Since his assumption of the post of Regional Minister, he’s not undertaken any development for Aowin or Enchi. This is a resource-rich municipality with only one secondary school but the Regional Minister is yet to visit the school after being in office for the past two years.
Aligned with chieftaincy contractors, Mr Obeng has turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to various plots to assassinate the Omanhene which had been brought to his attention in terms of petitions and intelligence by virtue of his position as the chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
What lends credence to the allegation of the Regional Minister’s complicity in plots to humiliate and murder Beyeeman is that since the last fatal incident in which four of the assailants were killed by a mob, the Regional Minister has yet to visit and commiserate with him nor has he issued a statement condemning the dastardly acts nor sending his condolences to the bereaved families.
In fact, it’s an open secret in the whole town that the Regional Minister wants the Omanhene disgraced and dead. For instance, the Omanhene was rather issued with criminal summons when he was the victim when thugs enabled by Mr Richard Obeng attacked his family house and were heading for Paramount Chief’s Palace.
The Regional Minister has effectively delved into Aowin Chieftaincy including usurping the powers of the Omanhene whilst disrespecting him in the process. For instance, without recourse to the Omanhene, the Regional Minister, Mr Richard Obeng, bought three chieftaincy titles (Nkosuohene of Asemkrom, Jema and Boinso). Perhaps, it’s the Omanhene’s seat that Mr Obeng is clamouring for.
We have even chanced upon a resignation letter from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) by the Omanhene in which—in not so cryptic terms—he alleges, among others, the clandestine machinations of the Regional Minister in the plots to assassinate him as part of his reasons for resigning.
