By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Dodowa, Aug. 05, GNA — The youth of Shai have called for the immediate cancellation of a proposed royal visit by the Paramount Chief of Akuapem to Dodowa, saying the programme could heighten tensions over an ongoing traditional leadership dispute in the area.
The youth, at a press conference in Dodowa, urged the Paramount Chief of Akuapem, Nana Kwasi Akuffo II, to decline the invitation to visit Lower Dodowa on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in the interest of preserving peace.
They explained that their opposition stemmed from the unresolved dispute surrounding the purported installation and intended outdooring of a chief for Lower Dodowa, which they said had raised concerns over traditional authority and territorial jurisdiction.
The youth said they supported the position of the Shai Traditional Council and the Osudoku Traditional Council, which had petitioned the appropriate state authorities over the matter and appealed for intervention to prevent any breach of the peace.
While stressing that their position was not directed against the people of Akuapem, Mr Otu Zor, the spokesperson for the youth, said they remained committed to peaceful coexistence with neighbouring traditional communities and were only seeking to protect the traditional authority, territorial integrity and peace of the Shai Traditional Area.
They appealed to the organisers to cancel the proposed programme and called on the Minister for the Interior, the National Security Council, the Inspector-General of Police, the Greater Accra Regional Security Council and other relevant state institutions to take preventive measures to avert any disturbance.
They also urged residents, particularly the youth, to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while allowing the appropriate authorities to address the matter through lawful means.
Addressing the gathering, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Innocent Amemo, the Dodowa Divisional Police Commander, said the police had received notification of the proposed visit but advised the organisers that it could not proceed because of the requirements under the Public Order Act (Act 491); based on that, they advised the organisers to postpone the said visit by the chief to his subjects in Lower Dodowa.
ACP Amemo said the police had asked the organisers to suspend the programme and fulfil the necessary legal requirements before any further consideration could be given to the event.
He explained that the matter had been referred to the Tema Regional Police Command and assured the public that the regional commander had been informed.
The Divisional Commander appealed to the youth and elders of the area to exercise restraint and cooperate with the security agencies to maintain peace, noting that the police were mindful of the history surrounding the dispute and would not allow any breach of the peace.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]