Residents of Yamonransa Nkusukum Traditional Area in the Central Region were hit with sad news as their newly installed chief fell off palanquin during coronation.

This happened after the popular gay rights activist, Davis Mac Iyalla, was installed Amankorehen, also known as development chief.

During his coronation over the weekend, Mr Iyalla whose stool name is Nana Kwesi Gyasi I, was carried in a palanquin.

He was subsequently paraded in the streets on the shoulders of some members of the traditional area.

However, a video posted by Graphic Online shows some carriers toppling to the ground on the street, as the palanquin fell down.

The procession stopped and gathered around to help lift Nana Kwesi Gyasi I.

After the activity, he had some words for his detractors who suspects “were trying to stop me or throw me off the palanquin. But shame has come upon them.”

“Some people are racists. They are saying that ‘Omanhene is not Ghanaian so why are you making him chief?’ Those same people have made foreigners chiefs and benefitted from it. Clear hypocrisy and jealousy,” he said after the incident.

The Amankorehen is a chief who promotes activities that accelerates the development of an area.

It is usually conferred on natives including foreigners who have contributed to the development of a community.

He was installed by President of Nkusukum Traditional Area, Nana Okese Essandoh IX.

The programme saw many traditional authorities from Cape Coast, Osu, Elmina, Mankessim and Cape Coast in attendance.

Speaking after the traditional rites and addressing the people, Davis Mac Iyalla stated that he was born in Nigeria but is now a British citizen saying by “the grace of God I practice what I preach and that is human rights for all persons. I don’t believe in discrimination. Whether you are tall, short black, white, yellow or green you are a human being and I will fight for that my belief to the very end. No matter what it cost me. I am not a hypocrite and I will not start now to be a hypocrite. You don’t need to like me but you have to respect my views,” he stated.

He explained that he came to know the Omanhen in April 2022 when the Omanhen had been in a chieftaincy dispute for 13years.

He said soon after knowing him (the Omanhen) they worked to ensure he was gazetted in December 2022 and sworn into the regional house of chiefs.

However, some people tried to stop the ceremony, but Iyalla addressed those people who tried to stop the ceremony that ” same people had made foreigners chiefs and benefited from it”

“I am a man of action. When I enter somewhere I bring change. Whenever I enter anywhere if I say I want to do something I do it and I do it very well.” he added

Video: When Gay rights activist Davis Mac Iyalla fell down from Palanquin during installation as chief https://t.co/rDWzje8dY9 pic.twitter.com/inqK7dNqkv
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) January 29, 2023