The Chief of Coaltar, Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II, has been destooled for allegedly leading land guards to unleash violence on the people of Coaltar, resulting in the killing of two innocent individuals.
About ten others are seriously injured and currently battling for their lives at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua.
This follows the invasion of the Ayensuano District and its surrounding communities by land guards, hired thugs, and hoodlums who terrorize community members, farmers, and landowners under the misdirection of the Chief of Coaltar, Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II.
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, two people lost their lives, and several others sustained near-fatal injuries when land guards accompanying the Coaltar Chief opened fire on residents of the Kraboa community who were holding a peaceful protest against the unlawful sale and seizure of their lands, as well as the destruction of their crops by sand winners purportedly acting on the instructions of Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II.
The incident occurred in broad daylight in the presence of the Ayensuano District Police.
One of the deceased bodies was later retrieved from the palace of the Coaltar Chief, who has since fled the town and been placed on the police wanted list. It took the intervention of the Kyebi Regional Police Command, acting on the orders of the Okyenhene, to restore calm to the area.
Following a detailed police report, the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, sent a delegation of Nananom, led by the Apapamhene and the Amantuomiensahene, Osabarima Okogyeaman Apagya Fori, to the Coaltar Palace to officially effect the customary destoolment of Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II.
During the ceremony to perform the customary rites, Apapamhene Osabarima Okogyeaman Apagya Fori emphasized that Okyeman has one overlord, the Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
He clarified that the Okyenhene had not sanctioned the forceful eviction of land users, the wanton sale of lands, or illegal sand winning anywhere in Okyeman.
“I came to install the Coaltar Chief, Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II, at this very venue. We did not install him to terrorize people here. The Okyenhene does not condone any act of violence and abuse of power. He was sworn in to serve his people and protect stool property, not to terrorize citizens and forcibly take over their properties,” Okogyeaman stated.
“Today, based on his rebellious behavior and involvement in the killing of innocent souls in our land, Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II has been destooled,” Apapamhene declared, accompanied by the pouring of libation and the slaughtering of a sheep.
He explained that this customary ritual validated the destoolment process and indicated that the kingmakers would soon present a new chief for consideration.
Okogyeaman Apagya Fori further revealed that on January 5, 2025, agents of Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II unlawfully entered the palace of the Odikro of Alema, a farming community in the Ayensuano District, and brutally assaulted the occupants without provocation.
He warned that Okyeman does not tolerate such acts of lawlessness and impunity over its citizens.
Okogyeaman Apagya Fori also cautioned the public against dealing with the destooled chief and called on the Ghana Police Service to arrest the absconded chief and his land guards to face the full rigors of the law.
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