2 Osu Chiefs Clash

Two rival chiefs of Osu yesterday clashed at the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council Offices, when they both went to pay courtesy calls on the newly appointed Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo. Nii Kinka Dowuona VI, who was recently gazette, and Nii Nortey Owuo III, who is battling it out in court to be retained as the incumbent chief, both arrived at the Regional Office around 2 pm with large retinues. The rival chiefs had arrived each in the hope of seeing the Regional Minister first. But unknown to them, the Regional Minister was not in the office. They, therefore, came face to face with each other in the corridor of the Minister�s office. There was tension when it became clear that provision had not been made for the two factions to visit at the same time. The timely arrival of Mr. Ernest Nyagbe, Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, saved the situation when he tactfully ushered the chiefs and their retinues into two separate waiting rooms to avert a possible clash. Speaking to the Times, Mr. Nyagbe said he as surprised by the turn of events because all along, the office had been communicating with the Nii Dowuona faction on their intended visit. The situation remained tense until the arrival of the minister around 3:30 pm and he directed the Nii Owuo faction to be taken to his office while he attended to the Nii Dowuona in the Conference Room. Welcoming Nii Dowuona,, Mr. ago reiterated the need for peace and unity in Osu to ensure progress in the town. He said he was aware of the chieftaincy dispute at Osu, and as a Ga royal himself, he was committed to ensuring a peaceful resolution. Mr. Agbo, however, said the desire �to smoke the peace pipe� should be seen to be coming from the feuding sections themselves. Explaining the circumstances which led to the presence of the other faction he said though he had accepted the request for a courtesy call by Nii Dowuona, he was approached in his house by some people that they would be calling on him, around the same time. �Thinking that I was dealing with the Nii Dowuona faction, I agreed and told them that I was aware of their correspondence with the office,� he said. Mr. Agbo said he only realized his mistake when he was informed about the confusing situation at the office. Nii Dowuona congratulated the Minister on his appointment and assured him that the people of Osu would continue to strive for peace. Nii Dowuona said following his gazetting, Osu had been elevated to a paramountcy and pledged to use the status to create the platform for development. The Regional Minister later met with Nii Owuo and his entourage in camera.