Ghanaian RADAR can report that there is brewing tension in Awudua, a prominent historical town which is the seat of the Apinto Traditional Council in the Western Region.
Information reaching us indicate that the selection of a successor for the revered Apinto Divisional seat is mired due to violations of laid down traditional procedures.
The paper gathered that some chiefs and members of the Royal families, especially the Faibil Family where the next Apinto Chief is to be nominated from, have expressed strong reservations against the manner in which the initial processes of selection of the candidate from the Faibil Gate is being twisted in favour of one Famiyeh who was not nominated by the Faibil family.
According to some prominent chiefs, who spoke on condition of anonymity, in accordance with tradition, the Faibil Gate nominated a candidate in the person of Kwabena Damoah and provided the name to the Tufuhene to continue the traditional installation process.
They indicated that it came as a surprise to them that another name of Famiyeh had cropped up after the Faibil family had submitted Kwabena Damoah who was selected by the Faibil family through a due process of nomination.
The chiefs expressed unhappiness and worry about the spiritual repercussions of how the traditional installation processes are being steered to favour Famiyeh whose name was not presented by the Faibil family to the chiefs for the installation processes to take continue.
They expressed concern about the looming tension in Awudua and indicated that they would work hard to ensure that the right thing is done in order to avoid any conflict.
Furthermore, they gave the assurance that they would do everything possible to make sure that the truth and right procedures are adhered to so that there would be peaceful installation of the right person.
According to them the people of Awudua are peace loving people who would not allow a few people to create conflict on an issue which should be a straightforward one.
The Awudua town has a very rich history of trade relations with European gold traders. Awudua is noted for its tourist attraction due to the establishment of forts such as Fort Ruychaver.
For example, Fort Ruychaver at Awudua is a very important site for archaeological research of some universities in Ghana and abroad.
The Apinto Royal family has two Royal Gates of Faibil and Angu Gates. Nana Kwabena Angu II who was the Chief of Awudua ruled for 37 years and died on April 2022. Since there are two gates of the Awudua Royal Family, after the death of Nana Angu II, the next Chief of the Apinto Traditional Council shall be selected from the Faibil family. The Faibil family is composed of three Royal Lineages and selection to occupy the stool is made on the basis of hierarchy, character and other attributes.
