Stories from Isaac Akwetey-Okunor
The atmosphere of the capital of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, Odumase-Krobo, was last Friday charged with merrymaking and sheer jubilation, following the installment of a new Divisional Chief of Suisi.The new chief, who was captured and secluded for about a week, was officially outdoored and enstooled at a colorful ceremony, which was graced by people from all walks of life, including politicians, the clergy, and other traditional rulers.
The new young Divisional Chief, with the stool name Nene Angmor Owuoadjao II, and who is known in private life as Domertey Vincent Mensah, and is the Vice Commissioner (President) of Kloma Gbi, a pressure group in the area, succeeded the late Osakitikli Domer Siako II, who died on March 4 last year, after reigning for 12 years.
Manya-Krobo has six main Divisions, which are Manya-Aklomuase, Suisi, Dorm, Djebia, Akwernor, and Piengua, however, the death of the late Suisi Chief last year has reduced the number of Divisional Chiefs, who are legitimate and legally recognized in the area, to only two.
These chiefs are Nene Okpatakpla Sasraku IV of Manya-Aklomuase, and Nene Agbau Narh III of Djebiam.
Following this phenomenon, the Traditional Council is deficient of quality and quantity placing pressure and enormous duty schedules on the two.
With the remaining three divisions, Nene Tetteh Zogli III of Piengua is facing serious legitimate problems and stiff opposition among his own people, as the people of the Akwernor Division are battling each other over who qualifies to ascend the throne.
On the other hand, the people of the Dorm Division, led by their Chief; Nene Muala Okumsono, on the other hand do not want to associate themselves with the present Konor, Nene Sakite II, or any other Konor who will emerge from the Nam Royal Clan of Djebiam.
Last Friday’s colorful ceremony was the third time the Suisi people, who mainly occupy areas such as Korletsom (Kukunya), Hwekper, Kodjonya (Alabonya), Menekpo, and Kpongunor (Yonor), are enstooling a Divisional Chief.
The first was Nene Domertey Tsatsu II of the Obodje Royal Clan of Otalenya. After his death, he was succeeded by the late Nene Domer Siakor II of the Angmortsedi Royal Clan of Korletsonya.
The newly installed chief has given the assurance to beef up the Manya-Krobo Traditional Council and advocate for the development of the youth in the area towards the total development of the traditional area.