The Atuabo Community in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region has unanimously suspended its customary services to the Paramount Chief of Atuabo and the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III.
Their decision follows what they described as maladministration and prolonged inactivity on the part of the chief, which they claim has driven the town into a period of stagnation.
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The announcement was made at a news conference in Atuabo — the seat of the Eastern Nzema Paramountcy — where residents presented a nine-point list of allegations against Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III.
As part of the resolution, all heads of the seven clans of Atuabo, including the kingmakers, the Council of Elders, the Assembly Member, opinion leaders, youth groups, and other indigenes, signed official statements to affirm their position.
Addressing the news conference, the Assembly Member of Atuabo, Mr. Roger Ofori Zogblah, was flanked by the Youth Leader, Mr. John Ketibuah, and the Safohene, Mr. Albert Kwame Blankson.
He explained that the decision stemmed from years of unresolved grievances, neglect, and decisions that had eroded trust and unity between the Paramount Chief and the people.
According to Mr. Zogblah, copies of the resolution have been sent to several personalities and offices, including the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, the Western Regional Minister, and the District Chief Executive of Ellembelle.
Others are the President of the National House of Chiefs, the Acting President of the Nzema Maanle Traditional Council at Ampain, the Western Regional Director of the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), the NIB office at Nkroful, the Western Regional Police Commander, the Esiama Divisional Police Commander, the Judicial Committee of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, the Paramount Queen Mother of Atuabo, the Ndweafo Abusuakpanyinli, and the media.
In a statement issued by the Council of Elders, the residents said: “Since His Royal Highness was enstooled as the Paramount Chief of Atuabo, his actions have departed from the customs, norms, and traditions of our forefathers, leading to discontent, division, and disconnection between him and the good people of Atuabo.”
Among the allegations are:
- Lack of accountability in the management of a 150-acre community coconut plantation, with no public records of its accounts.
- GH¢300,000 allegedly received from Ghana Gas but unaccounted for.
- The unilateral change of a community bank signatory to Mr. Paul Kwaw, described as a non-citizen of Atuabo.
- Involvement in land litigation and heritage disputes, with multiple lawsuits and attempts to claim sole ownership of lands historically held by the seven clans.
- Failure to advocate for employment opportunities for the youth despite serving for a decade as a board member of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC).
- Closure of the community market for seven years after evicting tenants under the pretext of renovation.
- Lack of community engagement, including no town meetings for the past five years.
- Alleged acts of intimidation during the 2024 Kundum Festival, disrespect shown during funeral rites in 2023, and an autocratic leadership style.
- Abandonment of three self-help toilet facilities, one of which has collapsed, while the other two have deteriorated.
According to the resolution, the suspension of customary services is not only symbolic but also a clear signal that the Paramount Chief should refrain from attempting to reassert control.
“The bond of trust has been broken,” the resolution stated, adding that the decision was necessary to restore peace and unity in the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area.