Sekondi, May 6, GNA - The Judiciary Committee of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, on Monday ruled that the Bediawuo House of the Royal Ntwaa Family of Upper Dixcove, are the legitimate House to nominate and enstool a new Omanhene to succeed the late Nana Hima Dekyi XIII. The Committee was giving its judgement on a petition filed by the Bediawuo House against the nomination, confinement and enstoolment of Boye Arthur on the stool of Upper Dixcove by the Amanfo Ninsin House of the Royal Family at Sekondi.

In the petition, the Bediawuo House declared that, the nomination, election and enstoolment of Boye Arthur as Omanhene were contrary to custom practice and, therefore, the constitution of the traditional people.

The Committee as a result has quashed the nomination and confinement of Boye Arthur and restrained the Amanfo Ninsin Family and its agents from nominating, confining, out-dooring or installing a chief at Upper Dixcove.

It said, "It is fully satisfied with the evidence before it that, the stool of Upper Dixcove is inherited by the Takyiwa and Abakaba groups, which constitute the "Bediawuo" House and by custom and tradition of long usage, it was this house (Bediawuo) that puts a candidate on the stool".

It said an objection was raised upon the nomination and installation of the late Nana Hima Dekyi XIII and this culminated in a long bitter and acrimonious litigation, which was finally settled by the Western Regional Commissioner. The Committee said by the terms of the settlement, the parties agreed that upon the demise of Nana Dekyi, the stool would revert to the Bediawuo House.

"This alone constitutes a bar to the rest of the constituent Houses from nominating and installing a chief after the death of Nana Hima Dekyi XIII," it said. The Committee said during the installation of Nana Hima Dekyi, the Bediawuo House slaughtered a sheep to signify that it was the next eligible House to put a candidate on the stool according to the custom and practice of the people of Ahanta. It said it was on record that, the Bediawuo House has for 11 times put a candidate on the stool as evidence indicated but the Amanfo Ninson Family has never mounted the stool of Upper Dixcove. The Committee said, "The evidence quite clearly shows that Boye Arthur is from the Amanfo House and as such, he is not the suitable candidate for the stool". It awarded GH¢1,500 against the Amanfo Ninsin Family. The Judiciary Committee was chaired by Awulae Kweku Akyirisuo III, Omanhene of Apataim Traditional Area supported by Nana Kweku Binnah III, Omanhene of Shama Traditional Area and Osabarima Kwaw Entsie II, Omanhene of Mpohor Traditional Area.