The four royals of the Akuapem Traditional Area in the Eastern Region who were arrested by the Police for flouting social distancing protocols have been fined GHS12,144 each.
They will be sentenced to four years imprisonment each if they fail to pay the fine totalling GHS48,576
According to the Police and the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly, the four spearheaded the enstoolment of the Paramount Chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Odehye Kwadwo Kesse.
Some Ghanaians last Friday took to social media to criticise the action by the traditional council which they said was in clear breach of the President’s directive on the ban on all forms of social gatherings.
There was also a chieftaincy dispute in the area following a misunderstanding between factions in the Sakyiabea Royal Gate over whose turn it was to produce the next Okuapehene.
Last Thursday, the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs declared the installation of Odehyee Kwasi Akuffo as the Okuapehene by the Queen-mother of the area as null and void.
At the same time, the Abrewatia had nominated Odehye Kesse to be heir to the throne to succeed the late Oseeadeyo Addo Dankwa III.
Unsatisfied about events, the Abrewatia petitioned the Regional House of Chiefs, challenging the traditional capacity of the Paramount Queen in nominating and installing a Paramount Chief.
