Sekondi, Sept 27, GNA - The Western Regional House of Chiefs has assured parties in a recent chieftaincy conflict at Sefwi-Wiawso that the issue would be resolved through legal processes. It has therefore urged leaders of the two factions in the conflict and their supporters not to do anything that would further escalate the tension.

Mr Henry Osei-Wusu, the Senior Registrar of the House, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Sekondi on Tuesday on efforts being made to ensure that peace returned to the town after disturbances that followed the purported destoolment of Nana Nkuah Okumdom II, Omanhene of Sefwi-Wiawso on July 22 by some kingmakers.

He said Nana Nkuah Okumdom II had petitioned the Regional House of Chiefs and that the house was in the process of selecting panel members of a judicial committee after which a date would be fixed for hearing. Some eight people, including Nana Adua Panyin, Queenmother and Mr John Chickah, said to have been enstooled as successor to Nana Okumdom II, have been served with notice and copies of the petition. In the petition, Nana Okumdom said customs, traditions and practices in relations to destooment of Omanhene of the Traditional area was not followed and therefore the action of the kingmakers was null and void and of no effect.

The petitioner said the action of some of the kingmakers was uncustomary and contrary to the rules of natural justice because their action did not go through due process and he was not given a hearing. He also filed a perpetual injunction restraining Mr Chickah from holding himself as the Omanhene of Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Area. Armed security personnel are still in the town guarding strategic areas including the Omanhene's palace.