The Supreme Court has dismissed an application seeking a review of its affirmation of Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III as Paramount Chief of the Akwamu Traditional Area.
The Apex court presided over by Justice Bafffoe-Bonney, in a 7:0 ruling on Wednesday, maintained an earlier ruling by a 5:0 decision that Odeneho Kwafo Akoto was validly nominated, elected, and installed as Paramount Chief of Akwamu in line with the customs and practices of the Akwamu people.
The ruling brings to finality the more-than-a-decade-old dispute over the eligibility of the current Akwamu Chief who ascended the throne about 11 years ago.
After the court ruling, the Paramount Chief, during a media interaction noted that the outcome of events would finally allow peace to reign in Akwamu.
“Finally, the way has been cleared for peace in Akwamu for total development in the area. This victory is not for one group, it is for the whole Akwamu, so everyone should not be shy. Let’s all come together as one big family and develop Akwamuman,” he said.
He said the outcome also fed into the upcoming Akwasidae Festival, themed: “Let’s unite and build Akwamuman.”
The celebration is scheduled for this weekend, from Friday, July 8, 2022, to Sunday, July 10, 2022,
The issue involved Abusuapanyin Kojo Kyer Addaquay and Abrewatia Love Adwo Som as the petitioners, and Nana Afrakoma II, Nana Nyarkoa (Benkumhemaa), Nana Asomani (Amanguahene) and Kwabena Owiredu as the respondents.
The petitioners went to court to challenge the eligibility of Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, the Paramount Chief of Akwamu, stating that he was an outsider and not from the royal family.
They also said that the process through which the Paramount Chief ascended the throne 11 years ago, was not in conformity with the customs of Akwamuman.
According to the ruling, the evidence, facts, history, custom and all the exhibits presented before the Court affirmed that to ascend to the black stool of Akwamu, a candidate must come from either the house of Yaa Ansaa or Yaa Botwe.
The court also noted that there was no established system of rotation in Akwamu to ascend to the Paramount stool.