The Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area has recently found itself at the center of a fierce struggle over the preservation of its sacred customs and the legitimacy of its leadership. On September 13, 2024, the Paramount Queenmother, Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, issued a public condemnation of individuals falsely claiming chieftaincy titles and operating outside the bounds of traditional authority. At the heart of this crisis lies the destooled Omanhen, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobia II, whose actions have sparked a deep cultural and political rift within the traditional council.
Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I’s press release exposed what she described as a “reign of terror” by landguards, a serious concern exacerbated by the unlawful actions of self-proclaimed chiefs who had no legitimate recognition by the traditional custodians. Particularly concerning is the alleged involvement of Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobia II, who, despite his destoolment, continued to confer chieftaincy titles from his private residence. This was described as a grave violation of customary law, undermining the authority of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council and the Central Regional House of Chiefs.
Following the release, speculation mounted that the embattled Omanhen was under pressure from those he had wrongfully sworn in, and reports began to surface of a coordinated response from these so-called chiefs, particularly from the Twafo Division of Gomoa Fetteh. These chiefs, allegedly led by the Omanhen himself, reportedly sought to challenge the legitimacy of the Queenmother’s actions and even sought the blessing of the Central Regional House of Chiefs President to desecrate the sacred Akyempim Palace in Gomoa Assin. This shocking development, captured in videos circulating on social media, has sparked outrage within the royal family and among traditional leaders.
One of the most disturbing elements of the unfolding crisis was the performance of unauthorized customary rites at the Akyempim Palace by individuals described as “utter foreigners” to the Gomoa traditions. In a video that has since gone viral, an unfamiliar priest, dressed in attire associated with Ga traditions, was seen performing libations and sacrifices at the sacred “Oman Akor Kese” shrine. According to sources close to the royal family, these acts were met with outright rejection by the ancestral spirits, as evidenced by the failure of the sacrifices and the desecration of the Palace’s “Posuban” shrine by outsiders.
“We condemn on customary grounds the Omanhen’s indulgence in these rites, performed by individuals who have no knowledge of our sacred traditions,” one member of the royal family stated. “The actions of this so-called priest, pouring libations in our most sacred shrine, were not only offensive but outright blasphemous. The rejection by our ancestors was clear, and the vandalism of our Posuban by these outsiders shows the level of disrespect for our customs.”
The desecration of the Akyempim Palace marks a new low in the escalating conflict, with the legitimacy of the Omanhen’s claim to authority hanging by a thread. The royal family has expressed grave concerns about the involvement of external forces and the apparent failure of the Central Regional House of Chiefs to take decisive action to protect the integrity of the traditional council.
“Some of us are forced to believe that the Central Regional House of Chiefs has been compromised in their own interest,” added an elite member of the royal family. “They have failed to protect and defend our shared culture, allowing this desecration to take place under their watch.”
The ongoing crisis in Gomoa has sparked a broader debate about the role of traditional leaders in safeguarding cultural heritage, especially in the face of growing external pressures. The Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which prohibits landguard operations, has been openly defied, with land disputes and vigilantism contributing to a climate of insecurity within the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area.
As tensions continue to rise, Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I’s call for the purification of the traditional area resonates deeply with those seeking a return to order and respect for established customs. Her invitation to those claiming chieftaincy titles to regularize their positions at the Akyempim Ahenfie underscores the importance of adherence to proper customary processes, a cornerstone of Ghanaian traditional governance.
The future of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area now rests in the hands of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, the National House of Chiefs, and relevant state authorities, who are tasked with upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the sanctity of traditional institutions is preserved.
The embattled Omanhen’s defiance has tested the very foundations of the traditional governance system, raising critical questions about the enforcement of customary law and the preservation of cultural integrity in modern Ghana.
In the face of these unprecedented challenges, the people of Gomoa are looking to their leaders, both traditional and governmental, to restore order, reclaim their cultural identity, and ensure that the misdeeds of a few do not tarnish the rich heritage of their community.
The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether justice and tradition will prevail in this long-standing dispute, or whether the forces of lawlessness will continue to undermine the values that have sustained Gomoa for generations.
