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Some Divisional Chiefs of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council (ENTC) have petitioned the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to intervene urgently to avert a potential chieftaincy clash in the area. According to the chiefs, tension is escalating following the alleged irregular enstoolment of one Egya Ackah, who is parading himself as the Paramount Chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area under the stool name Awulae Blay. They warned that unless security agencies act swiftly to restrain him from presenting himself as Omanhene, the situation could lead to a violent confrontation in the community. Speaking at a press briefing in Takoradi, Nana Kwamena Bentum II, Divisional Chief of Salma, said the potential for conflict has heightened after the said “impostor,” known in private life as Berenger Flaton, announced plans to celebrate the Kundum Festival on November 2, 2025. He described the development as a serious threat to peace and stability, emphasizing that the ENTC already has a gazetted and legitimate Paramount Chief — Awulae Amihere Kpanyile. According to Nana Bentum, a small faction of fewer than five chiefs, including the Paramount Queenmother and certain members of the Ndweafo Royal Family, conspired to enstool the nephew of Awulae Kpanyile as a rival Omanhene, falsely claiming to have “traditionally destooled” the sitting Paramount Chief. “We want to use this occasion to let the world know that Awulae Amihere Kpanyile remains the President of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council, and nothing can change that,” he declared. It has emerged that the Paramount Queenmother, Avo Nyimah III, and Frank Kwasi, head of the Ndweafo Royal Family, had earlier filed destoolment charges against Awulae Kpanyile at the Western Regional House of Chiefs (WRHC). A three-member committee, chaired by Awulae Hima Dekyi, Omanhene of Upper Dixcove, with Okuamoah Tetretteh Seyim of Wassa Akropong as a member, was constituted to hear the petition. Prior to this, a mediation team comprising Nana Kobina Nketiah V (Essikado), Awulae Attibrukusu III (Lower Axim), and Kwesi Agyemang IX (Lower Dixcove) attempted to resolve the dispute amicably but failed, leading to the formal hearing. The petitioners accused the Omanhene of being unmarried and “incompetent,” among other allegations, and prayed the committee to destool him. However, before the committee could conclude its work, the petitioners — through their lawyers — filed a Notice of Discontinuance, withdrawing the case “with liberty to reapply.” The committee has not yet ruled on the application. Nana Bentum argued that, given the pending nature of the case, it was improper for the Queenmother and her associates to rush into enstooling another person. He described their actions as “a travesty of justice” and called on REGSEC to act swiftly by arresting the self-styled Omanhene. “Chieftaincy matters can easily spark conflict, and the police must act now to prevent bloodshed,” he warned. “There are clear procedures in the Chieftaincy Act for enstoolment and destoolment, and no one has the right to bypass them under the guise of custom.” He commended Awulae Amihere Kpanyile for his calm and restraint in the face of “false and provocative allegations.” “Throughout this ordeal, Awulae Kpanyile has maintained his dignity. He has not uttered a word or retaliated — that is how a true chief behaves,” Nana Bentum added. He appealed to REGSEC and the Regional Police Command to ensure the safe return of Awulae Kpanyile to his rightful seat, stressing that the withdrawal of the petition means the Omanhene “has no case to answer.” Exactly a year ago, a foiled assassination attempt on Awulae Kpanyile at his Atuabo Palace led police to evacuate him for safety and declare the palace a security zone. However, concerns have now been raised over why security agencies have allowed a rival claimant to occupy the same palace, install himself as Omanhene, and receive police protection. “It is baffling that the same police who once secured the palace to protect life and property are now providing protection for an impostor,” a concerned chief remarked. The divisional chiefs have therefore called on REGSEC, the National Security Council, and the Western Regional House of Chiefs to urgently restore order and protect the sanctity of the Eastern Nzema stool.
