Nana Odei Opare II, the Chief of Okobeyeye in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality of the Eastern Region, has firmly dismissed claims by one Nii Patapaa I, who has reportedly presented himself as a newly installed chief of Okobeyeye near Samsam.
Nana Odei Opare II, who insists he is the only legally installed and gazetted chief of Okobeyeye, described the claims by Nii Patapaa I as strange, misleading, and unacceptable. He has consequently threatened legal action to restrain Nii Patapaa I and his associates from encroaching upon or laying claim to land, authority, or traditional rights within Okobeyeye.
The chief has also cautioned the general public, investors, and prospective developers to refrain from engaging with Nii Patapaa I, stressing that any such dealings could have legal consequences.
According to Nana Odei Opare II, Nii Patapaa I, in an interview, struggled to clearly identify the geographical location of his alleged area of jurisdiction, vaguely referring to “Okobeyeye near Samsam under Amasaman”—areas which are geographically distant and fall outside the Eastern Region.
He explained that the dispute appears to stem from ongoing boundary challenges between the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions, which some individuals are exploiting to assert illegitimate claims over lands and traditional authority in the Eastern Region.
Okobeyeye, Nana Odei Opare II emphasized, is located within the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality and falls under the Akuapem Adonteng Traditional Area. In line with Akuapem chieftaincy structure, Okobeyeye owes allegiance to Akuapem Awherase, which serves as the Chedom for Adontengman. Through this hierarchy, Okobeyeye performs traditional rites to Awherase, Adontengman, and ultimately Okuapemman, firmly establishing its Akuapem identity within the Eastern Region.
He further clarified that under Akuapem tradition, chiefs do not bear the title “Nii,” which is associated with Ga customs, but are rather styled as “Nana” or “Ohene.” This, he said, further invalidates the claims being made by Nii Patapaa I.
Nana Odei Opare II is also the Apegyahene of Akuapem Awherase and Akuapem Adonteng, serving under Nana Otuboa Gyan Kwasi, the Aburihene. He was installed as Chief of Okobeyeye in 2008 and has since overseen several developmental initiatives in the community, including the extension of electricity and youth support programmes.
Currently, he is spearheading the construction of an ultra-modern palace and cultural centre, launched in 2024, aimed at promoting Akuapem culture and tradition. The centre, when completed, will be open to all Ghanaians and foreigners interested in Ghanaian heritage, and will feature recreational facilities such as swimming, lawn tennis, table tennis, volleyball, and entertainment spaces with live band performances.
