Sefwi Wiawso Chieftaincy Row Refuses To Die As, Two �Chiefs� Pop Up Over Throne

Tension that if not doused would burst into a free -for-all fight is building up in the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, in the Western region, following the installation of a new Chief, Nana Akwasi Bumakama Bediakuo II, 55, whereas there allegedly exists a chief, Okoygyeabour Nana Kwadwo Aduhene III, in the community. According to the Kingmakers and youth who are flaring up over the latest installation, there is no justification for installing a new chief when there is protracted chieftaincy litigation currently on trial, where two factions are laying claim to who the legitimate chief of the areas is. Okoygyeabour Nana Kwadwo Aduhene III, who insiders say always, draws a huge crowd whenever he visits the area was installed as king in August 2005 which sparked a litany of court actions. Allies of the Holland-based chief are however not happy that the substantive case has not been determined in court yet some kingmakers could go ahead with the installation of a new Omanhene for the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area. Nana Bediakuo II, according to media reports, is a London-based businessman known in private life as Kofi Agyepong who swore to the elders and the people at the palace, Okoygyeabour Fie in Sefwi Wiawso. �Nana Bediakuo II swore the oath of allegiance to the seven divisional chiefs and the oath of secrecy to the black stool which was brought out in public for that rare occasion. The heads of the seven traditional divisions and their elders also swore to him, pledging to respond to his calls at all times�,the media report stated. He allegedly succeeds the late Nana Nkua Okumdom, who passed away two years ago. Already this paper has gathered that the Omanhemaa, Nana Adua Panin has distanced herself from the installation of Nana Akwasi Bumakama Bediakuo II as a chief under the pretext that there already exists a chief in the person of Okoygyeabour Nana Kwadwo Aduhene III. Also insiders have told this paper that barring any last minute hitches, Nana Bediakuo II would be served with a court injunction to stop parading himself as a chief in the area today. During his installation however, Nana Bediakuo II reportedly urged his people to use the occasion to start a new era, forge ahead in unity and peace and bury the hatchet. He added,� my priority is in three areas; accelerated progress in the area of education, development and culture�.