Kibi (Eastern Region) 5 Oct. '99 - Odehye Nana Kwame Amoatia Ofori Atta, an insurance broker in USA, was on Monday nominated, approved and sworn-in by the Okyeman Council as the 35th Okyenhene at a ceremony at Ofori Panin Fie in Kibi.

The new Okyenhene was sworn -in under the stool name Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II and succeeds his brother, Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku II, who died in March.

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Okyenhene-elect confined

Kyebi (Eastern Region) 5 Oct. '99

Odehye Nana Kwame Amoatia Ofori Atta, 48, was on Monday approved and sworn in by Okyenman Council as the 35th Okyenhene at a ceremony at the Ofori Panin Fie, "Okyenhene's Palace", at Kyebi.

The new Okyenhene was sworn in under the stool name Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II. He succeeds his late brother, Osagyefuo Kuntunkunuku II who died on March 17, this year.

The three-and-a-half hour ceremony, presided over by the acting president of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, Osabarima Kena Ampaw, was witnessed by all the five divisional chiefs, sub-chiefs and the public amidst tight security bolstered by two water canons.

Exactly at 12 noon, Osabarima Ampaw, who is also the Adontenhene of Akyem Abuakwa and Kukurantumihene, led members of the standing committee of Okyenman Council from a closed-door meeting in the palace to join other chiefs seated at Eseketewaho at the forecourt of the palace.

The initial sparse crowd at the forecourt and the delay in arrival of the standing committee members from their closed-door meeting heightened the tension and anxiety surrounding the installation process.

This was occasioned by a dispute within the Kyebi Asona royal family over the nomination of a candidate for the vacant stool.

The dispute culminated in the filing of a court injunction on September 26 by a member of the family restraining the Abusuapanin, Bafour Kwabena Akowuah, from nominating any candidate for the stool.

A faction of the family also decided to remove the Abusuapanin the following day over their dissatisfaction about the manner he was handling the nomination process.

It, therefore, came as a relief when Osabarima Ampaw told the gathering that Okyenman Council had already endorsed the nomination of Odehye Kwame Ofori Atta by the royal family and was to be presented at the ceremony.

Osabarima Ampaw then asked the Amantuo Mmiensa (state guards) led by the Apedwahene, Barima Addo Gyekye, to bring the royal for the installation process.

Odehye Ofori Atta was eventually brought to the grounds surrounded by a multitude of bodyguards and admirers.

On arrival, he was introduced to the chiefs, besmeared with powder and carried shoulder high with a twig of grass inserted in his mouth amidst jubilation through the streets.

He was returned a few minutes later to be led by Abusuapanin Akowuah to shake hands with the chiefs and dignitaries present.

After this, the Nifahene, Osabarima Agyemang, demanded an appreciation (Aseda) from the family of the Okyenhene-elect for which 20 million cedis and five cartons of Schnapps were offered.

Osabarima Ampaw then announced the stool name, which was followed by the exchange of oath swearing of allegiance between the Okyenhene-elect, the Abusuapanin and the chiefs.

Commenting on the possible effect of the court injunction over the nomination and installation ceremony, a member of the Kyebi executive, Akyempemhene Barima Danso Abiam Kokoroko, explained that, "as far as we are concerned, the nomination was brought to our domain by the Abusuapanin on 5 September, three clear weeks before the injunction notice was filed".

"All the necessary customary performance was made and today's is only to continue the process for which the injunction was too belated to have any effect on it".

Among the dignitaries present included Mr Fred Ohene-Kena, Minister of Mines and Energy, and Owuraku Amofa, Deputy Minister of Tourism.