DISREGARD CLAIMS BY NANA APPIETUAA (Page 22. Sat., Dec 1, 1007)

Story: Joe Okyere, Cape Coast

THE Sunkwaehene and Nifahene of the Affutuakwa Traditional Area, Nana Wiredu Karikari I, has stated that he has neither installed a Nifahemaa nor had anyone sworn to him as such.
He, has therefore, advised the public to disregard claims by Nana Appientuaa IV, known in private life as Nana Abena Dansowa, as the new Asakyire Sunkwaehemaa and Nifahemma of the Affutuakwa Traditional Area as published in the Saturday, November 3 and Monday, November 5, 2007 edition of the Mirror and the Daily Graphic.
Reacting to the two publications at a press conference in Cape Coast, a representative of the chief, Mr Francis Asante, said the family agreed that no new queen should be installed in his absence and that Nana Appeantuaa IV, known in private life as Beatrice Brewu, should continue to act as the queen.
Mr Asante said it was also agreed that Abusuapanin Kofi Boateng and Krontihene E.B. Akomaning should also continue to hold their positions and that a queen shall be installed before the performance of the funeral rites of the late Nana Gyahae and Nana Appeantuaa II.
He stressed that these decisions were taken when the member of Parliament for Assin South, Mr Kennedy Agyapong, settled their differences and confirmed same before the representative of the Minister of Defence.
He said the traditional council was also notified of the decisions in a letter dated August 24, this year which was copied to the Central Regional House of Chiefs, all Divisional Chiefs, the Member of Parliament, the Abusuapanin and the District Chief Executive.
He described the process and manner under which the purported queen was installed as a breach of contract and undermining of his authority as the Sunkwaehene and the Nifahene of the Affutuakwa Traditional Area.
He said by tradition, a queen swore the oath of allegiance to the chief and not to the Okyeame and Abusuapanin as was done in this case.
He consequently called on the public and the Affutuakwa Traditional Council to disregard the claims in the publications, and described the queen as a self-styled one without the authority of Nana Wiredu.