A photo of the traditional leaders
Correspondence from Eastern Region
The Omanhene and Paramount Chief of the Boso-Gua Traditional Area in the Eastern Region, Okotwasuo Nyarko Yeboah III, has bemoaned the pending chieftaincy dispute in the area as a major cause of disunity and lack of development.
The situation, he said, is hindering the progress of the community, and as such, he has called for an end to the dispute to enable them to move forward with development.
The traditional leader, known in private life as Sloopy Mike Gyamfi—one of Ghana’s ace highlife musicians—made this observation at the forecourt of the Odumase Krobo Circuit Court in the Eastern Region. The court is currently hearing a case filed by the Gyaasehene and member of the Judicial Committee of the Boso-Gua Traditional Area, Nana Oseadeyoo Adu Kwaku II, challenging his legitimacy to the stool.
According to Okotwasuo Nyarko Yeboah III, chieftaincy polarisation has eroded the peace and unity of the people to the extent that the area remains underdeveloped.
The traditional leader noted that the ongoing litigation, which has lingered for the past four years, has adversely affected the development of the community. Though he is hopeful of emerging victorious in the case, he lamented the lack of progress in Boso-Gua due to the dispute.
“This issue is partly responsible for the lack of progress and development in the Boso community. I waste precious time frequenting the courts when this energy could have been channeled into developing the community,” said the paramount chief. “Unfortunately, we have not had the level of development we should, especially at this time, and that is all because of chieftaincy issues.”
Confident of emerging victorious in the ongoing suit, he asserted: “I’m hopeful of being declared the rightful chief in the case, together with the Asona family of Boso, to enable the community to see progress.”
Gyaasehene and member of the Judicial Committee of the Boso-Gua Traditional Area, Nana Oseadeyoo Adu Kwaku II, on July 6, 2021, filed a complaint with the Regional Criminal Investigations Department, alleging that for some time, Sloopy Mike Gyamfi had been parading himself as the Omanhene and Paramount Chief of the Boso-Gua Traditional Area and performing the functions of the position, although there is a legitimate Omanhene in the person of Nana Osei Nyarko III.
Gyamfi was subsequently charged with performing the functions of a chief contrary to Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act 2008 (Act 759).
On January 14, 2022, investigations were extended to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to determine the legitimate and substantive Paramount Chief of the Boso-Gua Traditional Area.
On January 17, 2022, the House of Chiefs responded, naming Nana Osei Nyarko III as the legitimate chief. They further informed investigators that the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs had, in a ruling dated June 6, 2018, restrained the respondent from styling himself as the paramount chief.
The court has set April 3, 2025, for the adjudication of the case.
