Wenchi Royal Houses Kick Against Upcoming “Illegal” Enstoolment

Two of the three Royal Houses of Wenchi in the Bono Region have unanimously risen against the scheduled enstoolment of one Kwaku Abrefa Damoah over the Traditional Area later this month.

According to the head of the Sofoase Royal House, Mr Obeng Gyan Busia and the head of the Nkwaduano Royal House, Nana Kwame Poku, the selection of the candidate for enstoolment from the Ahenfie Yefri Royal House subverted due process.

It is their case that the stool rotates among the three; however, the Ahenfie royals with the help of the Paramount Chief of Dormaa and the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II, is bent on entrenching it to their name.

They noted that the stool, until it became vacant, was occupied by a member of the Ahenfie Yefri and therefore had to move to one of the remaining two royal houses.

At a press conference on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the embattled royals said the enstoolment of Mr Damoah slated for September 21 violates customary, national and international laws and thereby called for the intervention of authorities.

They argued that the selection of the candidate is marred with failure to follow customary installation procedures; disregard for ongoing legal proceedings before the Bono Regional House of Chiefs; breach of natural justice; and perpetuation of longstanding injustices and human rights violations.

“We are therefore requesting that necessary action be taken to prevent this event, uphold law and order, and ensure that justice is served and our rights are protected in consonance with the constitution of the country. We further urge the authorities to take immediate action to prevent this event, so as to ensure peace in Wenchi, and put an end to the decades-long impunity of Mr. Kwaku Abrefa Damoah’s family, the so-called Ahenfie Yefri.”

They warned that inaction by the requisite authorities will attract “drastic measures” as they will resort to “self-help”.