From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi
THE CHIEF of Asokore Mampong, near Kumasi, Nana Boakye-Ansah Debrah, has been cited by six heads of Fanti Communities in Kumasi for interference in the selection and installation of a new head of the Fantse Community in Ashanti.
Nana Amamo Baidoo (Atonsu), Nana Odziamon II (Anwomaso), Nana Osam Dadzie (Kaase), Nana Boachie Okrodom (Asawase), Nana Baiden (Ayigya) and Nana Akye Kojo (Ahinsan), all of Kumasi as plaintiffs, have filed a suit before a Kumasi Circuit court against two of their colleagues.
The defendants, Nana Kwaw Akyen (Dakwadwom) and Nana Annan (Ghana Nkabom Abusuapanyin), who also double as Krontihene and Gyasehene respectively of the Fantseman Council in Ashanti.
In a statement of claim, the Plaintiffs claimed that the death of Nana Akorful Owessie in September 2013 and the Queen mother, Nana Adwoa Kum a year ago, has necessitated the installation of a new chief and queen mother for which two persons, Nana Kwasi Essel and Nana Egyir Aggrey put in their bids for vetting as chief, while Nana Amissah Okyi and Osam Penianko also applied for installation as Queen mother subject to vetting and approval.
The plaintiffs stated that a 13-member Searching/Vetting Committee was selected from the various Fantse communities to the vetting, but before the vetting committee could start work, the Chief of Asokore Mampong, who is the Nifahene of Kumasi and, therefore, the overlord of the Fantse community at the Kumasi Traditional Council, allegedly invited the kingmakers for negotiations on March 16, 2014, at his place, during which Nana Egyir Aggrey, one of the contestants, was disqualified and ordered that a chief be installed by the Fantse community within three weeks.
The plaintiffs claim the Asokore Mampong chief is not a member of the kingmakers of the Fantse Community and as such lacks capacity to disqualify any contestant. By going to court, the plaintiffs hope to halt the order of the Asokore Mamponghene from being carried out against the provisions of the Constitution of the Mfansteman Council in Ashanti.
They believe the defendants are bent on using the authority of Nana Boakye-Ansah Derbrah to install a new chief without recourse to the 13 Member Search Committee, headed by Nana Annan and selected by the Fantse Community, hence the court action.
The plaintiffs are, therefore, seeking a declaration that Nana Asokore Mamponghene is not a member of the kingmakers of the Fantse Community and that all pronouncements he allegedly made in disqualifying Nana Agyir Aggrey are null and void.
The suit is also seeking a declaration that the defendants, acting Head of Fantseman Council in Ashanti and Chairman of 13-Member Vetting Committee, are not the only kingmaker of the Fantse community and should be restrained from ever holding themselves as such.
They also want an order of the court compelling the defendants to follow the laid down procedure in installing a new chief and queen mother for the Fantse Community in Kumasi.