The Okere Youth Association has rejected reports that Akropong has imposed a ban on noise-making, popularly known as Addae Butuw, across the entire Akuapem traditional area.
The association said notices claiming that Akropong had issued a directive covering the entire Akuapem area have been circulating, but it has not seen any official statement from the Akropong Traditional Council confirming the reported ban.
The group said it was particularly concerned about reports of an incident in which settlers at Akropong allegedly confronted natives of Abiriw over an alleged breach of the supposed noise-making directive.
In a statement, the Okere Youth Association questioned the basis for extending any directive from Akropong to other traditional areas within Akuapem.
According to the association, Akuapem is made up of different traditional communities with their own chiefs, customs and traditional authorities, and decisions affecting each community should be handled by the appropriate traditional leadership.
The group said Okere and Larteh, in particular, have their own traditional institutions and should not be subjected to directives issued by another traditional area.
The association also raised historical concerns about the traditional status of Akropong and its relationship with other communities within Akuapem.
It argued that the history of Akuapem must be properly understood and should not be used as a basis for one traditional area to claim authority over the others.
The Okere Youth Association said it respects the traditional institutions across Akuapem but believes that such respect must be mutual.
It further urged the people of Okere to remain calm and avoid any confrontation over the issue, while calling on residents to rely on official information from their legitimate traditional authorities.
The association maintained that any decision on noise-making within Okere must come from the appropriate traditional authorities of Okere.
It said it remains committed to protecting the interests and traditional identity of the people of Okere while promoting peace and unity among the various communities in Akuapem.
The group has therefore called on the public not to rely on unverified notices or social media reports until an official position is issued by the relevant traditional authorities.
