Kumawu thrown into chaos, warning shots fired
Kumawu was thrown into chaos as armed soldiers and police fired warning shots to prevent one of the claimants to the Paramount Stool, Barima Tweneboa Kodua V, and his supporters from paying last respects to the deceased Akyempimhene of the traditional area.
The body of the late chief, Oheneba Okyere Krapa Yiadom, was lying in state at Bodomase and as Barima Tweneboa Kodua accompanied by a retinue of sub-chiefs, linguists and attendants made their way to the place to perform the necessary customary rites, the security officers moved in to stop them.
The officers, who had been deployed in the town, the previous day (Wednesday), fired shots into the air, sending people including journalists, fleeing for cover.
The security personnel indicated that they had firm instructions not to allow Barima Tweneboa Kodua to carry himself to the funeral ground as Paramount Chief.
Some people got hurt in the heat of the confusion. Umbrellas and other paraphernalia of the chiefs were also broken.
Barima Tweneboa Kodua would, however, not be scared and still went ahead to perform the rituals ahead of the burial.
The town is now enveloped in uneasy calm as many of the people are accusing the security of unfairness and having taken sides in the chieftaincy dispute that refuses to go.
Those, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on condition of anonymity said they found it disgusting why the security apparatus should allow any faction to use it against their opponents – to intimidate and harass them.
They are therefore calling for the government to act quickly to intervene to ensure that there was justice to bring enduring peace to the area.
It was the way forward to prevent things from getting out of hand – exploding into nasty bloody clashes.
Barima Tweneboa Kodua described the action of the security officers as completely unnecessary because there were no signs of any possible disturbances or violence.
He vowed never to be frightened by anybody in the performance of his duties as legitimately elected and installed Omanhene of the area.
He asked that those under the illusion that they could use the police and the military to cow him into submission should rethink – that was not going to work.
There is a bitter dispute over the Kumawu stool with Barima Tweneboa Kodua V and Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, both claiming to be the legitimate Omanhene.
Source: GNA