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Police officer suffers gunshot wounds in chieftaincy disturbances

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General News of Saturday, 18 February 2017

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2017-02-18

WOUND POLICEfiring of several canisters of tear gas and warning shots

A police officer is in a life-threatening situation at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi after suffering gunshot wounds at Bodomase in the Kumawu Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region following a clash between security personnel and the inhabitants of the town.

Five other policemen and two soldiers who also suffered various degrees of injury were treated and discharged after a face-off with indigenes of Bodomase for allegedly interfering in the Kumawu protracted chieftaincy conflict last Thursday.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Yusif Tanko, confirmed the number of injured persons but declined to mention names.

Incident

The clash occurred after one of the claimants to the Kumawu paramount seat, Barima Tweneboah Koduah V, and his supporters were prevented from participating in the final burial rites of the late Akyeampemhene of Kumawu, Oheneba Krapa Yiadom.

The chief and his men reacted swiftly and insisted on making it to the funeral grounds, pelting the security personnel with missiles. The personnel responded with the firing of several canisters of tear gas and warning shots.

Sensing danger, the chief and his supporters took to their heels and escaped, but the security personnel managed to destroy the umbrella of the chief, which is a symbol of his authority.

Warning

Barima Tweneboah Koduah, who resides at Bodomase and was installed by four of the kingmakers two years ago, has been warned by the Manhyia Palace not to parade himself as the chief of Kumawu.

His attempt last Thursday to attend the funeral in full regalia as the chief of Kumawu, therefore, amounted to flouting the orders of the Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom.

Currently, the Manhyia Palace recognises Barima Sarfo Tweneboah, who was installed by only one of the kingmakers, as the legitimate chief of Kumawu.

Barima Tweneboah Koduah, who insists he is the rightful heir to the throne because he was elected by the majority of the kingmakers, has been battling the case in the law court for some time, following similar clashes last year.

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