Techiman chief denies kidnapping Tuobodom chief

Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV is the chief of Techiman The chief of Techiman has denied authorising the kidnapping of the Tuobodom chief which led to recent disturbances in the two towns. Oseadeeyo Ameyaw Ekumfi says he only performed a civic responsibility of helping to bring to book one of some persons who threatened to kill him on 7 October 2008. According to the Techiman chief, he handed the Tuobodom chief, Nana Baffour Asare II, over to the police immediately his bodyguards arrested his Tuobodom counterpart and brought him to his palace. Violence broke out between the two towns leading to the death of some three people and several others critically wounded. The abduction of Nana Baffour Asare II by the bodyguards of Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw sparked a misunderstanding which later degenerated into a conflict between the Asanteman and the Techiman Traditional Councils. But at a news conference on Tuesday, he claimed Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu was misinformed about the whole issue leading to his utterances. “Some of us would like to believe that the Asantehene has been misinformed about the whole issue and (he) decided to swallow whatever he heard hook, line and sinker that is why he has been insulting me. We have decided to watch him from the sideline with sadness because he has allowed himself to be misled,” he indicated. According to him, the Otumfuo’s outbursts led to the situation where thugs from Kumasi attacked vehicles from Techiman destined for Kumasi. But when the dust seemed to have almost settled the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs faces a revolt from some members of the house over his recent visit to the Manhyia Palace to mediate in the Techiman and Asanteman council rift. Some members of the house of chiefs say the delegation supposedly led by Nana Osabarima Kwaku Atakyi III to Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, was not sanctioned by the house. Eric Owusu-Sai of SKY FM in Suyani who has been following the issue explains that some of the chiefs are contemplating impeachment proceedings against Nana Osabarima Kwaku Atakyi. When reached for comment, Nana Osabarima Kwaku Atakyi III explained he would respond later. Story by Fiifi Koomson and Yaw Ansu Gyeabour/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana