The suspension, according to a press statement, followed a protracted chieftaincy dispute among the leaders of the nine Sissala clans in the Municipality.

The statement signed by Mrs. Evelyn Ama Kumi-Richardson, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive and Chair of the Council and made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), warned that “anybody who defies the directive shall be held responsible for any breach of peace in the Sissala community or the Municipality”.

The statement was copied to the Sunyani Traditional Council and the Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Command. It indicated that the Security Council and the Sunyani Traditional Council had taken acute measures in addressing the dispute amicably and ensured that peace prevailed in the community.

“However the community has not taken heed to any recommendations or directives given by the council and Nananom and this action taken by the community is seen as a security threat to the peaceful environment in the Municipality”, it added.“None of the clans among the Sissala Community should appoint or nominate any person as chief or head of Sissala Community in the Sunyani Municipality until an amicable solution is reached”, the statement said.

Meanwhile, another press statement signed by Baba Salifu Abubakar, the family head of the Sissala community in the Municipality said one Mr. Awudu Nelson was no longer the Chief of Sissalas in Sunyani. It said the positions of Acting Sissala Chief and Sissala Youth Chief had been suspended forthwith, and asked the leaders of the tribes to comply with the order.