The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has been urged by some residents and a claimant legitimacy of Akyem Ayirebi in the Akyemansa district of the Eastern region to beef up security immediately prior to the forthcoming 2024 general elections in order to prevent any chieftaincy dispute from wreaking havoc on the community.
Speaking to the media at a press conference held at Akyem Ayirebi, the claimant legitimacy, Obrempong Gyepre Asante III, revealed that the chieftaincy dispute that has plagued the community for years is the result of himself and another rival, both claiming to be the chiefs of the settlement.
Obrempong Gyepre Asante III clarified that although all the required rites had been carried out and he had been designated as the community’s leader by the queenmother in 2021, he left with him to swear loyalty to the paramount chief of Kotoku Traditional Area.
As he gets ready to go and swear allegiance to the paramount chief, someone else has been asserting that he is the one who will be the chief of Ayirabi.
In the words of Obrempong Gyepre Asante III, this has caused chieftaincy turmoil in the community, and in an effort to restore peace, the matter has been filed before the judiciary.
He clarified that because of the continuing legal proceedings, he and his people remain in peace for years.
He went on to say that it was unnerving to observe the other fashion grabbing attention in the village and declaring himself to be the community’s chief while they anxiously awaited the judge’s decision.
As such, Obrempong Gyepre Asante III has urged the chief executive of the Akyemansa district, Hon. Paul Asamoah Gyimah, and the MP for the Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, to get in touch with his opponent and persuade him to desist from identifying himself as the chief of Ayirabi, failing which he and his people shall defend themselves.
Additionally, he pleaded with the IGP to act quickly to ensure that tranquility is restored before the December 7 elections.
He says that they don’t want to do any actions that could incite violence during the election season.
Concerned residents have also expressed worry, fear, and panic about the current state of affairs in Akyem Ayirebi.
Because of the chieftaincy dispute between the two styles of chiefs in the community, they consequently begged the security agency to increase town security before something terrible would occur.
