Two different factions claiming to fill the vacant Sunyani paramount stool have been embroiled in a succession dispute that has led to the enstoolment of two people to succeed the late Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II.
The factions, which have for some time now been divided over who becomes the next Sunyani Omanhene finally exhibited their disagreement publicly on Monday, January 6, 2025, with the installation of the two chiefs.
While one faction on Monday morning installed Yaw Agyare, another faction also installed Adom Manu late in the evening.
Graphic Online gathers that a third faction is also planning to install another person, to bring the total to three.
The two factions performed customary rites and enstooled their preferred successors to the late Sunyani Omanhene on the same day.
Yaw Agyare is a 46-year-old police officer at Maryland Community in the USA.
Adom Manu, for his part, is based in Sunyani.
While Agyare has been given the stool name Odeefuor Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II, Manu has been given the name Nana Yaw Twene Amanfo II.
Both factions were set to hold press conferences on Thursday, January 9, 2025 to make their case and inform the public about their stand on the issue.
But the proposed press conferences were suspended because the Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC) intervened and invited the parties to help resolve the dispute.
This development has brought tension in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital.
What happened?
The two, who were installed on Monday, were reportedly among seven candidates who were under consideration and appeared before a search party reportedly constituted by the kingmakers led by the Akwamuhene, Nana Sarbeng, to vet and look for a successor.
Nana Sarbeng in a press statement has explained that his team endorsed Agyare as the successor after vetting all the seven candidates.
He said all the customary rites were therefore performed on Monday, January 6, 2025 at the old Sunyani Palace to enstool him.
He insists that the Sunyani Traditional Council followed all the legally laid down procedures for the enstoolment of Agyare as enshrined in the Declaration of Customary law (Sunyani) Traditional Council instrument, (Establishment) instrument, 2010 (L.1. 1972).
The relevant provision of L.I. 1972 states that when the Omanhene’s stool becomes vacant, the Queenmother shall in consultation with the Abakomahene, Abakomahemaa and the elders of the royal family, will nominate a candidate and present him to the Kingmakers for consideration.
It said pursuant to the nomination, the Kingmakers had the prerogative to vet or consider the candidate and after the vetting or consideration, elect/select or reject the said candidate.
Sunyani Queenmother denies nominating anyone
Meanwhile, the Sunyani Queenmother, Nana Akosua Dua Asor Sika Brayie II, has said nobody has been nominated by her to be installed as Omanhene of Sunyani.
“There is a misinterpretation of the word nomination by Akwamuhene, Nana Sarbeng in the statement he caused to be issued, which is not on the official letterhead of the council,” it said.
She stated in a press release that the nomination of a candidate to be installed as Sunyanimanhene by custom had to be done by the Paramount Queenmother.
“As queenmother, I have not nominated a candidate to be installed as Omanhene of Sunyani.”
“Akwamuhene is not a member of the Royal family; therefore, by custom, he cannot nominate a candidate for the vacant stool,” it said.
She indicated what the Akwamuhene and others did by installing someone as Omanhene under a tree was a usurpation of the customary and traditional function of the Paramount Queenmother.
She said the installation was therefore against the custom of the Boahen Korkor Royal Family and the good people of Sunyani.
“It is a notorious fact that the installation of Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area cannot take place under a tree in front of the palace.”
“Therefore, the purported installation that took place on Monday, January 6, under a tree is not dignified and has affected the aura and sanctity of the stool,” she added.
The release said the uncustomary conduct must be condemned.
“I assure you that I will take steps to set aside the purported installation in my capacity as the Paramount Queenmother,” it said.
The release said Nana Sika Brayie would perform the customary function and rites by nominating a candidate to be installed as Omanhene of Sunyani in due course.
It also announced the suspension of the Akwamuhene as the acting President of the Sunyani Traditional Council.
It said all state institutions would be notified not to deal with him as such.
Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri who died in July 2022 was buried in April 2024.
Various gates vying for the vacant Sunyani paramount stool have been embroiled in a succession dispute that has led to the enstoolment of two people to succeed the late Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri.
ALSO READ: