The Wenchi Royal Family is opposed to the selection of Nana Atoa Sramangyedua III as the new Paramount Chief of the Wenchi Traditional Area.
The members of the Sofoase Yefri and Nkwaduaon Yefri royal families of Wenchi in a statement said Nana Atoa’s selection contradicts the customs and tradition of Wenchi as consultations with interested parties were not held before his nomination.
“Consultations with the interested parties and deliberations leading to a nomination of a successor which is the norm and demanded by custom and tradition, unfortunately, was not followed as Nana Atoa Sramangyedua III, proceeded to nominate her grandson without adherence to due process.
“It is therefore without reservation that the bonafide royals of Wenchi namely, Sofoase Yefri and Nkwaduano yefri families both home and abroad, as well as majority of citizens of Wenchi, would want to go on record that the purported nomination and selection of the Wenchihene is manifestly contrary to the customs and traditions of the people of Wenchi and the established procedure of nominating and selecting an Omanhene.”
The families said Nana Atoa’s nomination signifies a lack of respect for the laid down process and rules of Wenchi
“It is also largely the disregard and lack of respect for the laid down process and its attendant rules and norms which has led to the tension and lack of development of the Wenchi metropolis.”
The families believe this act, if not checked will lead to a chaotic situation.
“It must be noted that the level of tension and acrimony in Wenchi by this singular act of Nana Atoa Sramangyedua III, if not checked or halted, will degenerate into a chaotic situation with its attendant national security implications.”
Below is the statement
NKWADUANO & SOFOASE ROYAL FAMILIES – WENCHI
PRESS RELEASE
7th September, 2019
WENCHI ROYAL FAMILIES COMPLETELY REJECT THE PURPORTED SELECTION OF A WENCHIHENE BY THE OHEMAA.
On the 6th of September 2019, members of Sofoase Yefri and Nkwaduaon Yefri royal families of Wenchi read a news articles all over social media and newspapers, which to our utter surprise and dismay indicated that a grandson of the current Wenchihemaa, Nana Atoa Sramangyedua III, has been selected as Wenchihene in what appeared to be a private ceremony. An event which per traditional norms should otherwise have been a very public and transparent event and even a celebration. The event however was conducted in the private home of the Wenchihemaa,suggesting the calculated arbitrariness of it.
We are further informed, that even the head and some of the key members of the, Ahenfie Yefri, where the current Queen mother belongs to were equally surprised by the event. As an immediate backdrop to this aberration, after the unfortunate death and burial of Nana Anye Amoanpong Ntabrako II, expression of interest by members of the Royal gates to succeed
Nana Anye Amoanpong Ntabrako II was (notably Sofoase Yefri and Ahenfie Yefri was adhered to. The process was followed as laid down by tradition with the required sensitivity and decorum. Consultations with the interested parties and deliberations leading to a nomination of a successor which is the norm and demanded by custom and tradition unfortunately was not followed as Nana Atoa Sramangyedua III, proceeded to nominate her grandson without adherence to due process.
It is therefore without reservation that the bona fide royals of Wenchi namely, Sofoase Yefri and Nkwaduano yefri families both home and abroad, as well as majority of citizens of Wenchi, would want to go on record that the purported nomination and selection of the Wenchihene is manifestly contrary to the customs and traditions of the people of Wenchi and the established procedure of nominating and selecting an Omanhene.
It is also worth noting that none of the female heads of the other royal families were duly consulted during the process of nomination again, contravening a key part of the laid down procedure as required by our custom and tradition. Regrettably, it is largely because of the hurried and nontraditional way and manner of the installation of traditional rulers in Wenchi that has earned the traditional state the notorious description of ‘one of the worst in terms of protracted chieftaincy disputes for almost half a century. ‘
It is also largely the disregard and lack of respect for the laid down process and its attendant rules and norms which has led to the tension and lack of development of the Wenchi metropolis. It must be noted that the level of tension and acrimony in Wenchi by this singular act of Nana Atoa Sramangyedua III if not checked or halted will degenerate into a chaotic situation with its attendant national security implications. It is clear that Increasingly Wenchi is becoming a laughing stock in the comity of Traditional States in Ghana in terms of abuse of customary law and laid down practice of installation of chiefs.
If that were not the case, how come on the said date of the 6th September only a handful of people were seen squeezed into what looks like a small sitting room for such an otherwise public ceremony. Evidently such an act does not represent the hopes and aspirations of the people of Wenchi.
We would like to stress that this time round the people of Wenchi are demanding a fair and participatory process of all the three royal families, the anticipated net result would lead to peace and harmony and ultimately engender economic growth and propel progress in the community.
It is curious that at a time that the National Peace Council, the Council of State, Wenchi Youth Association and others were in collaboration to resolve long standing chieftaincy disputes, thereappear this calculated attempt to derail and sabotage the peace process by a singular act of disrespect and utter disregard.
The situation is untenable and it is the hope that reason will prevail to save Wenchi from yet another tense and protracted litigation process which has held the traditional area hostage and stifled growth for decades.
The time to do right by our ancestors, this generation, the youth of Wenchi is now. We call on the queen mother, the Wenchi traditional council, Regional House of chiefs, National House of Chiefs, the National Peace Council, the Council of State, Wenchi Youth Associations and all well meaning Ghanaians who have Wenchi at heart to quickly intervene to ensure that peace prevails in the nomination and selection of the Wenchimanhene.
Any inaction would be a betrayal of Wenchi, its citizens and forebears. We owe them the peace, and we owe the youth of today the opportunity and space to grow and be worthy custodians of the land of their forefathers.
SIGNED
Obaapannyin Nana Ama Serwaa Abusua Panyin Nana Kwame Afriyie
(Sofoase Yefri Royal Family)