Historian and legal practitioner Nana Obiri Boahen has responded to the clash that occurred between Sunyani’s traditional enforcers and the youth of Abesim which ensued on Friday, March 5, 2024.
During the confrontation, individuals believed to be enforcers (known as Abrafour) of the Sunyani Traditional Council had to flee when faced with Abesim’s youth, who reside in the Sunyani Municipal District of the Bono Region. Reports suggest that the clash erupted after the Abrafour attempted to extract money and goods from local market women.
A post shared by EDHUB in X on Friday, April 5, 2024, highlighted accusations against the enforcers for coercing funds and resources from market vendors, purportedly for the funeral of the late Paramount Chief of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, who passed away in July 2022.
Setting the record straight, Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen emphasized that Abesim falls under Dormaa, not Sunyani, thus supporting the resistance of Abesim’s youth against the alleged extortion.
“Abesim is not under Sunyani so if the youth of Abesim resist the Sunyani Abrafour extorting of items, me as a historian, and as a lawyer I agree with them.”
During an appearance on Wontumi TV, Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen expressed frustration over the unlikelihood of the Bono Region having a singular king like the Asantes.
He cautioned against attacks from judges, scholars, and social media commentators when discussing the relationship between the Asantes and the Bono people. Boahen argued that the incident in Abesim suggests that the Bono Region’s identity is primarily linguistic, rather than territorial.
He also questioned why chiefs are criticized for swearing allegiance to the Asantehene and why individuals face backlash for speaking positively about the Asantes.