Accra, Dec. 13, GNA - The Effutu State is engulfed in chieftaincy power play as the Omanhene Neenyi Ghartey VII claims to have removed Abusuapayin Kyikyibi Gyan, Head of the Kingmakers, and he in turn destools the Omanhene.

A letter from the Otuano Royal Stool House signed by the Neenyi Ghartey and 16 others, who claimed to be Elders and Kingmakers of Otuano Royal House, and made available to GNA said: "We write in our capacities as Elders and Kingmakers of Otuano Royal House after careful consideration of the matter between you and the 'stool' wish to convey to you our decision to remove you as our Head of Family and Kingmakers." However, another statement also made available to the GNA said:

"The Head of the Kingmakers of the Otuano Royal Stool Family of the Effutu State of Winneba, Ebusuapanyin Kweku Kyikyibi Gyan and Elders and Kingmakers of the Otuano supported by the Supis, Obaatan of the two Asafo Companies, who together constitute the Oman, the Divisional and Sub-Chiefs have performed the necessary customary rites for the destoolment of Nana Ghartey VII alias Kobina Bortse Ghartey." It said the custom involved the pouring of libation at the Otuano Stool House, slaughtering of a ram and firing of musketry at Fantse Fantse, the traditional destoolment grounds.

Ebusaupanyin Kyikyibi Gyan, Opanyin Kow Oppong, Opanyin Kwamina Gyetey, Opanyin Kow Ghartey and Samuel Kakra Ghunney signed the statement on behalf of the Otuano Royal Family. Tufuhene Nana Otubua Siripi II; Nifahene Nana Tekyie IV; Obaatan Armah-Sekum; Supi Sam Odonsu; Safohene Kwesi Ghartey-Tagoe; Supi Kow Nduom Ansah and Neenyi Kojo Beedu V signed on behalf of the Oman. The destoolment charges against Nana Ghartey included wrongful enstoolment procedure; failure to hold a traditional council meeting since enstoolment; rebuffing all attempts to reconcile him to his own biological father; crude pride; extreme arrogance and gross disrespect for his own father, family, Stool Elders and Oman. The statement said the final destoolement rite of laying customary leaves in front of the Otuano Royal House, symbolising a formal recognition of the vacancy and a request for a new Omanhene, would be done in due course.