Chaos in Effiduase over sale of cemetery land

Effiduase in the New Juaben Traditional Area is tense. A controversy has arisen over selling part of a public cemetery. This land was used to bury COVID-19 victims. A private developer wants to buy it for GH₵700,000 to build a church.

The sale has sparked strong opposition. It led to the alleged destoolment of Ekuasehene Okatakyie Opoku Oware. He has been vocal against the sale.

Effiduasehene Nana Okowia Dwumo Baabu announced this destoolment on Sunday. He accused the Ekuasehene of insubordination at the palace.

However, the Ekuase Bretuo Royal Family dismissed his declaration. They argue that the Effiduasehene lacks authority to remove their chief.

“The Ekuase stool is a family stool,” said Opanyin Kwame Nyarko, head of the Bretuo family. “Only we can enstool or destool our chief. This destoolment is null and void.”

Tensions escalated when gunshots were fired nearby. Armed police were deployed to maintain order around the palace.

Okatakyie Opoku Oware spoke to the media about his situation. He called the destoolment attempt illegitimate and politically motivated. He vowed to protect public lands and oppose what he termed “the reckless sale of communal property.”

“I won’t back down,” he stated firmly. “I will fight against this abuse of power.”

Attempts by Starr News to reach Effiduasehene Okowia Dwumo Baabu were unsuccessful. The palace was locked after recent events, leaving tensions high with no resolution in sight.