Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II, the Chief of Coaltar, has been deposed for allegedly inciting land guards to commit acts of violence against the Coaltar populace, which led to the deaths of two innocent persons.
At Koforidua’s Eastern Regional Hospital, roughly ten more people are critically hurt and fighting for their life.
This comes after land guards, hired thugs, and hoodlums invaded the Ayensuano District and the communities around, terrorizing farmers, landowners, and community members under the misdirection of Chief of Coaltar Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II.
Details
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, residents of the Kraboa community were participating in a peaceful protest against the illegal sale and seizure of their lands, as well as the destruction of their crops by sand winners allegedly acting on orders from Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II, when land guards accompanied by the Coaltar Chief opened fire on them, killing two people and injuring several more.
The Ayensuano District Police were present when the incident happened in broad daylight.
The Coaltar Chief, who has since left the town and is on the police wanted list, had one of the remains later recovered from his mansion. To bring peace back to the area, the Kyebi Regional Police Command had to step in and carry out the Okyenhene’s directives.
In order to formally implement the customary destoolment of Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II, the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, despatched a team of Nananom, headed by the Apapamhene and the Amantuomiensahene, Osabarima Okogyeaman Apagya Fori, to the Coaltar Palace after receiving a thorough police report.
During the ceremony to perform the customary rites, Apapamhene Osabarima Okogyeaman Apagya Fori emphasized that Okyeman has one overlord, the Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
He clarified that the Okyenhene had not sanctioned the forceful eviction of land users, the wanton sale of lands, or illegal sand winning anywhere in Okyeman.
He spoke:
“I came to install the Coaltar Chief, Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II, at this very venue. We did not install him to terrorize people here. The Okyenhene does not condone any act of violence and abuse of power. He was sworn in to serve his people and protect stool property, not to terrorize citizens and forcibly take over their properties,”
“Today, based on his rebellious behavior and involvement in the killing of innocent souls in our land, Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II has been destooled,” Apapamhene declared, accompanied by the pouring of libation and the slaughtering of a sheep.
According to him, this traditional rite confirmed the destoolment procedure and signaled that the kingmakers would shortly propose a new chief for approval.
On January 5, 2025, agents of Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II broke into the palace of the Odikro of Alema, a farming community in the Ayensuano District, and violently attacked the people without warning, according to Okogyeaman Apagya Fori.
He issued a warning, saying that Okyeman will not put up with such lawlessness and disregard for its people.
Additionally, Okogyeaman Apagya Fori urged the Ghana Police Service to apprehend the fugitive chief and his land guards so they can face the full force of the law and warned the public not to interact with the deposed chief.
