Oseadeeyo Dr Frempong Manso IV has stated that he is still the Omanhene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area. He stressed that no court, individual or group of persons had destooled him as being circulated by his detractors which had resulted in violence and loss of lives at Akyem Oda. Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso’s personal secretary, Mr Frank Mintah, who clarified the situation at a news conference in Accra last Thursday, advised Ghanaians to dismiss the unfounded romours with the contempt it deserves. He said the reversal of the gazette by the Supreme Court last Tuesday did not mean that he had been destooled as being spread in certain quarters to tarnish his reputation. “We must state that the Supreme Court did not purport to nullify Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso's installation. The decision rather reversed the transmission of the Omanhene's Chieftaincy Declaration Forms (CDFs) to the National House of Chiefs,” Mr Mintah said. He said, “Until the petition is finally determined or until a duly constituted judicial body makes any valid pronouncement to the contrary, Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso remains the Chief of Akyem Oda and the Omanhene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area. We recognise the decision of the Supreme Court as affecting' only the stating of the CDFs.” Mr Mintah stressed that even though they disagreed with the court they respected that decision and were waiting to receive a certified copy of the judgement so that they could advise themselves as to the next and best line of action. “It would appear that certain persons still think that “gazetting” is what affords or gives a chief formal or governmental recognition, and have deliberately sought to interprete the Supreme Court's decision has destooled or gives grounds for the destoolment of Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso,” he stated. Mr Mintah said those persons did not realise that those days were gone, and that in line with the current law and the Chieftaincy Act 2008 (Act 759), Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso remained the validly installed chief in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage. It will be recalled that one person was shot dead while five others sustained serious injuries when the Attafuah and Frempong Manso factions of Akyem Kotoku clashed at Akyem Oda last Tuesday. The violence followed information that the Supreme Court had overturned a ruling in favour of the Attafuah family resulting in a street carnival and a clash with the Frempong Manso faction.