Accra The Akuapem traditional council today expressed concern about the use of the title, “omanhene” or “paramount chief” for divisional chiefs, saying ”it is illegal”. A statement signed by the secretary to the traditional administration said it is true some divisional chiefs want to become paramount chiefs. But like all societies where order and discipline prevail, they must follow the laid down procedure of seeking promotion, it said, urging the media “to desist from encouraging dissident chiefs to flout the Chieftaincy Act”. The statement said in order not to bring the institution of chieftaincy into disrepute, the National House of Chiefs has decided to publish the names of all recognised paramount chiefs and their traditional areas. With respect to the Akuapem traditional council, the statement acknowledged that some of the guilty chiefs are awaiting the decision of the National and Regional Houses on their applications for promotion from divisional to Paramount positions. It named them as Nana Otutu Ababio the fourth, Nifahene of Akuapem Traditional Area “who styles himself as Omanhene of Okere Traditional Area” and Nana Gyan Kwasi the second, Adontenhene of Akuapem traditional area “who refers to himself as omanhene of a non-existing Akuapem Anafo Traditional Area”. The statement expressed surprise at the existence of “one so-called Osabarima of Larteh, whose records as a chief are neither available at the Regional nor the National House of Chiefs.” “It is strange that a person who is not customarily known as a chief in chieftaincy circles has also arrogated to himself the position of an omanhene of a non-existing Akuapem Guan Traditional Area.”
