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Defiance of Court Orders Stalls Development in Kwahu Pepease — Royals Cry Out
Over a decade-long chieftaincy dispute that has stalled development in Kwahu Pepease in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region has once again taken centre stage, as members of the Ahenenananom (royal elders) of the community call for lasting peace and enforcement of court rulings.
The dispute, which has lingered for more than ten years, is between the Queen Mother of Kwahu Pepease, Nana Oforiwa Pokua II, and Kwaku Osei Bonsu, who was installed as the Chief of Pepease—and also serves as the Kyedomhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area—by Nana Appiah Ofori, the Adehyiehene of Pepease.
After years of legal tussles, the case was determined by the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, which unanimously ruled in favour of the plaintiff, Nana Oforiwa Pokua II. The five-member panel’s decision affirmed the Queen Mother’s claim and directed that the installation of Kwaku Osei Bonsu as chief was null and void.
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However, despite the ruling, Kwaku Osei Bonsu and Nana Appiah Ofori reportedly failed to comply with the verdict. This led to a criminal contempt suit at the Kumasi High Court, which resulted in a custodial sentence for the two. Their counsel later pleaded successfully for the sentence to be converted into a fine.
According to the Ahenenananom, even after that judgement, the accused again defied the orders of the Kumasi High Court, prompting another contempt case at the Koforidua High Court. Yet, despite multiple court orders, Kwaku Osei Bonsu continues to occupy the Kwahu Pepease stool and act as Kyedomhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area.
Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday at Kwahu Pepease, the spokesperson for the Ahenenananom of the Kwahu Pepease Royal Family, Mr Mark Appaw Owusu, urged the government to take immediate steps to enforce the rulings of the courts and restore peace in the community.
“We are calling on the government to ensure that the rulings of both the National House of Chiefs and the High Courts are enforced without fear or favour. This will serve as a deterrent to others who disregard the rule of law and will also allow development projects to resume in our community,” he said.
Mr Owusu lamented the numerous challenges residents have faced due to the prolonged chieftaincy impasse, including halted infrastructure projects, lack of investor confidence, and divisions within the community.
“For over ten years, our people have suffered setbacks in development because of this dispute. Schools, roads, and community projects have all been delayed or abandoned. It’s time for unity and progress,” he added.
Several members of the royal family and the youth who attended the press conference also expressed frustration over how the dispute has hindered development in Pepease and called on authorities to intervene decisively.
The Ahenenananom emphasised that their appeal is not about taking sides but ensuring respect for the rule of law and the integrity of Ghana’s traditional governance system. They stressed that peace and compliance with the courts’ decisions are essential for the prosperity of Kwahu Pepease and the entire Kwahu Traditional Area.
Story by: Isaac Osei
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