Attempts by some discredited individuals within the Akwamu Traditional area to tarnish the reputation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Kofi Osei Ameyaw, have been exposed.

Some elements within the Yaa Ansaa Royal Family of Akwamu in a recent press release, published in the Daily Graphic of Monday, November 13, 2017 subtly accused the NLA boss of using state money to fund the legitimate Akwamuhene Nana Odeneheho Kwafo Akoto III

According to them, Nana Odeneheho Kwafo Akoto III, known in real life as Kwabena Owiredu, is a cousin to the NLA boss and could be using state cash to fund the crisis.

Sadly, these elements are also engaging in scare-mongering as they are threatening people to stay away from the “Akwamu Nhyiamukese” programme, which seeks to unite all Akwamus in the country and outside the country for the homecoming event which comes off in December.

However, investigations by Weekend Today have established that the claims against Mr Osei Ameyaw are false and are just intended to cause disaffection for him.

The NLA boss is an indigene of the area and has embarked on several projects in the area to enhance institution’s corporate social responsibility.

He is therefore, backed by customs and traditions to organise the “Akwamu Nhyiamukese” even though the rival faction is contesting the matter at the National House of Chiefs.

With regard to the “Akwamu Nhyiamukese” homecoming event, Weekend Today learnt that the planning committee sent a letter for sponsorship.

However, this paper can authoritatively state that the NLA boss and the board had not sat on the matter and was therefore, preposterous to suggest that he (Mr Osei Ameyaw) was using state money to fund chieftaincy issues in Akwamu.

The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs recently ruled in favour of Nana Odeneheho Kwafo Akoto III, confirming that he was the rightful occupant of the Akwamu stool.

It is important to note that other organisations including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) have sent letters to the NLA, requesting for sponsorship.

Thus, it is not out of place for the Akwamu Stool to also request for sponsorship for its numerous traditional events.

“Even though the rival faction is challenging the legitimacy of Nana Odeneheho Kwafo Akoto III, he can still perform his duties as Akwamuhene until the ruling is overturned,” a source at the National House of Chiefs told Weekend Today.

The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs has given its judgment on the Akwamu chieftaincy dispute which had been pending for over 25 years, declaring Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, as the recognised and accepted Paramount Chief of Akwamu.

Nana Gyankomah Djaba Mensah, who read out the verdict on the decision taken by the council, stated: “As conclusion of the whole matter, Nananom find as per the evidence, facts, History, Custom and all the exhibits presented before them that…

To ascend to the black stool of Akwamu, a candidate must of necessity come from either the house of Yaa Ansaa or Yaa Botwe.

That there is no established system of rotation in Akwamu to ascend to the Paramount stool.

That as far as the history of the people of Akwamu is concerned; the office of Queen mother is not alien to the people of Akwamu.

That the first respondent was validly nominated, elected and installed the paramount chief of Akwamu in accordance with the custom and practices of the people of Akwamu.”

The counsel for the respondents after the judgment made a plea that an amount of GHC 50, 000.00 be paid to his clients as compensation to defray the cost of time, resources and money spent to and fro in pursuance of the case. However, the chairman of the Regional House of Chiefs, Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin together with his jury, pleaded for a reduction which was accepted by the respondents and pegged at GH¢15.000.00.