Cherepohene Pushes for Development After Land Victory, Calls For All Hands On Deck

Cherepo Traditional Council secures independence from Yeji after 12-year legal battle; Chief appeals for support to tackle child trafficking_

CHEREPO, PRU EAST –The Cherepo Traditional Council near Yeji in the Pru East District of the Bono East Region has described its fight for independence from the Yeji Traditional Council as a remarkable achievement that should never be underestimated.

The Omanhene of the Cherepo Traditional Area, Nana Twumasi Ankrah VIII, made the remarks following a landmark court victory that ended a 12-year protracted land litigation between Yeji and Cherepo.

Speaking in an interview with _The New Trust_ newspaper, Nana Twumasi Ankrah VIII disclosed that the land dispute had been pending before the Sunyani High Court since 2014.

“The Sunyani High Court, upon considering the facts and evidence before it, ruled in favour of Cherepo,” he stated.

According to the Cherepohene, the Yejihene, dissatisfied with the High Court ruling, proceeded to the Court of Appeal in Kumasi. However, the appellate court reaffirmed the decision of the Sunyani High Court in favour of Cherepo.

Nana Ankrah recounted the ordeal his people endured throughout the period of litigation, noting that the protracted case had affected the growth and progress of the Cherepo community.

He said despite the setbacks, he remains focused on accelerating development together with his sub-chiefs.

He said he was not surprised by the wild jubilation that greeted the final judgement, with residents thronging the principal streets of Cherepo and even Yeji itself, singing and dancing in solidarity.

“As a leader, you must always be guided by the principles of fairness, neutrality, accommodation, impartial judgement, and above all, maintaining integrity. These are my principles, and I’m not surprised when my people were seen in the principal streets of Cherepo and even Yeji itself singing and dancing as a form of solidarity and support to me when the courts pronounced the judgement,” he said.

Stance Against Child Trafficking

Commenting on a recent child trafficking case that resurfaced in the area, the Cherepohene stated unequivocally that he will not countenance any illegal activity that could tarnish the good image of the town.

He revealed that he personally rescued 11 children from trafficking, handed them over to the police, and ensured they were sponsored back to their places of origin.

He has therefore appealed to government to make dedicated financial allocations to District Assemblies, the Department of Social Welfare and other relevant institutions to cater for victims of child trafficking whenever the need arises.

Nana Twumasi Ankrah VIII further called on all natives of Cherepo, both home and abroad, as well as government and development partners, to join hands to push the development agenda of the traditional area forward now that the legal hurdle has been cleared.