Court injunction halts Western Regional House of Chiefs elections

An election of the Western Regional House of Chiefs could not take place on Tuesday because of a Supreme Court injunction preventing Osagyefo Kwamena Enimil, VI, Vice President of the house, from participating in the election.

Mr Stephen Opoku-Mensah, Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), who announced the postponement of the election at a meeting of the House at Sekondi, said a new date for the elections would be announced.

Mr. Opoku-Mensah said the positions of President, Vice President and four members to represent the House in the National House of Chiefs were up for election.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Samuel Yeboah Mintah, Registrar of the House, said the injunction was filed by Odeneho Akrofa Krukoko 11, uncle of Osagyefo Enimil, who is the Omanhene of Wassa Fiase.

He said Odeneho Krukoko is disputing the eligibility of Osagyefo Enimil as the occupant of the stool of the Wassa Fiase.

Mr. Mintah said the injunction restrained Osagyefo Enimil from holding himself as Omanhene, a member of the Regional and National House of Chiefs.

He said the EC and the Regional House of Chiefs were cited in the injunction and they could have been charged with contempt had the election taken place.

Mr. Mintah said the election would have taken place had Osagyefo Enimil stepped down from contesting in the election.

He said a Sekondi High Court has also issued an Order for Interlocutory Injunction restraining Awulae Kaku Ackah 11, alias King Kaku Ackah, Omanhene of Awiaso from participating in the elections of the Regional House of Chiefs.

Mr. Mintah said the injunction was filed by Awulae Amihere Kpanyili 11, Omanhene of Eastern Nzema.

Source: GNA