Akim Oda (Eastern Region) 1st April '99

The Eastern regional Minister, Miss Patience Adow, on Wednesday led a government delegation to console the chiefs and people of the Akim Kotoku traditional area over the death of their paramount chief, Okofrobuor Agyeman Attafuah the fourth. The delegation included a national vice-chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kwaku Baah, Eastern Regional NDC chairman, Mr Kofi Saforo, NDC regional secretary, Mr J.W. Agyekum, District Chief Executive for Birim South, Mr John Effah-Boadi and the District Chief Executive for Birim North, Mr Prince Yaw Danso. The delegation was received at the palace by the acting president of the Akim Kotoku traditional council, Obrempong Affum Afronteng the fourth, divisional and sub-chiefs, queen mothers and a large crowd of mourners. It presented customary drinks, including four cartons each of beer and Guinness, a carton of schnapps and three crates of soft drinks. Welcoming the delegation, Obrempong Afronteng, who is also the Adontenhene of the area, said the late paramount chief died on June 17, last year, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and is to be laid in state from April 29 to May two. Addressing the people, Miss Adow said she has enjoyed close co-operation from traditional rulers. She, however, regretted that the co-operation has been affected by the death of six out of the eleven paramount chiefs constituting the regional house of chiefs. This, she said, has resulted in chieftaincy litigation, which is creating long-standing vacancies in the house. Miss Adow, therefore, appealed to the chiefs and people of the Akim Kotoku to let peace and understanding prevail during and after the funeral to pave way for the speedy enstoolment of a successor. Members of the delegation later signed a book of condolence. The late Okofrobuor Attafuah, who was born in 1932 and known in private life as Samuel Dwuma Boateng, was enstooled on May 19, 1975, and ruled for 23 years.