After twenty years of dispute and disunity, the Benkum and Nifa chiefs of Akropong-Akuapem have finally sworn an oath of allegiance to the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III.

To this end, the two divisions headed by Osaberima Asiedu Okoo Ababio II, Lartehene and Nana Otutu Kono III, Adukromhene, have assumed their thrones as Benkumhene and Nifahene respectively in the Akuapem Traditional Council.

At a re-unification durbar and swearing-in ceremony held at Akropong on Wednesday, all the Divisional chiefs pledged to defend and hold in high esteem the unity attained after 20 years of disintegration.

Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa re-echoed the need for all to maintain their hard won reputation. He was grateful to President John Dramani Mahama, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Mr Victor Smith and Dr Kwasi Apea-Kubi, past Eastern Regional Ministers, as well as Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, the current Minister for their efforts in the re-unification process.

The Okuapehene was also appreciative of Mr George Opare Addo, the Akuapem North Municipal Chief Executive, for his outstanding role in the unification process.

Ms Ntoso encouraged all the chiefs and people of Okuapemman not to allow differences of opinion to divide them, but to strengthen them.

“Chieftaincy facilitates development to our people, and when our differences in opinion lead us to dispute, we invariably draw back the development of our people,” she said.

Dr Seidu Daannaa, Minister for Chieftaincy and National Culture, urged other traditional authorities to emulate the path taken by the Okuapemman Chiefs to reunite for a common goal.

He reminded traditional leaders that they had the duty of ensuring that next generations met peaceful institutions so they could as well follow suit.