Nwoase, a community in the Wenchi Municipality is enveloped in tension over alleged cruelty of a self-acclaimed ‘chief priest’ of the powerful Kwaku Fri Shrine.

Nana Kofi Afena is accused of grabbing farms, seizing livestock and property of anybody perceived to be opposed to his moves to take over the shrine.

Many are reportedly fleeing the place for fear of their lives.

Opanin Yaw Asafo-Adjei, an elder of the town and a member of the family that owns the shrine, has now sought refuge in Kumasi and told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, it was not looking good.

He said things were spiraling out of control and spoke of savage violence on helpless people by gangs of marauding young men paid by Nana Afena.

He added that a virgin forest in the area, which had been protected over the centuries was now being cut down – destroyed by the said chief priest and his agents.

Opanin Asafo-Adjei appealed for firm and swift action by the appropriate authorities to end the lawlessness and the impunity.

He discounted the claim made by Nana Afena, who until three years ago, was the Brafuohene (chief executioner of the shrine) that “he is possessed by Kwaku Fri deity” and insisted, that could not be true.

“The bully young man clearly knows what he wants everybody to accept he is, cannot be genuine and that is why he has been unable to swear the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene, in line with customary practice”, he added.

Mr. Atta Kwabena, Secretary to the said chief priest, did not deny the accusations but said steps were being taken to get things sorted out with aggrieved persons.