Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has rendered an unqualified apology following the arrest and handcuffing of Kwahuhemaa Nana Adwoa Gyamfua III during a recent security incident at the Abene Palace.
Speaking during a meeting with some chiefs from Kwahu at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council on Monday, the Minister—who described herself as the “Mother of the Region” and head of the Regional Security Council—figuratively accepted responsibility stating that the Queen mother ought to have been handled with dignity and respect.
She emphasized that her apology does not amount to an admission of guilt or personal involvement in the incident, but rather stems from the fact that the Kwahuhemaa was subjected to humiliation.
The Minister also backed the Inspector General of Police’s directive for a full investigation into the matter.
The delegation of chiefs, led by Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang III, Chief of Abetifi and Adontehene of Kwahu, had visited to protest the rising tension surrounding the ongoing chieftaincy dispute in the area.
They appealed to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to expedite its adjudication of the case before its Judicial Committee to bring lasting peace to the traditional area.
The chiefs also condemned what they described as an armed police invasion of the Abene Palace on November 17, marked by gunfire, assault, and the arrest of the Queen Mother and others who were transported to Accra.
They renewed their call for a thorough investigation to ensure accountability.
Additionally, they requested access to the palace—currently under police control—to take inventory of key traditional regalia and other properties.
In response, Minister Awatey assured the chiefs that the Regional Security Council remains committed to ensuring peace and stability in Kwahu as part of efforts to sustain its role as a major tourism destination.
She urged them to remain calm and allow the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs to conclude their adjudication of the dispute.
Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II, born Eugene Kwasi Asante Boadi, is a chartered accountant who was lawfully nominated, selected, and enstooled as Kwahuhene on June 5, 2017, following the passing of Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng II on September 9, 2014.
His name was duly entered into the National Register of Chiefs and gazetted on September 28, 2017.
Despite his recognition and active performance of customary and statutory functions as Kwahuhene, some kingmakers performed rites to declare him destooled.
They claimed that Daasebre had brought disrepute to the stool following his resignation as Board Chairman of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) after allegations of financial impropriety were levelled against him by a businessman in October 2025.
Baffuor Akoto Osei was purportedly enstooled in January 2025 under the stool name Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, to replace Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II.
With the aid of heavily armed men, he occupied the Abene Palace, the traditional headquarters of the Kwahu Traditional Area, and warned Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II not to step onto the palace grounds.
However, Some Chiefs and Elders of Kwahu seriously disagree with destoolment.
For instance, Nana Kwaku Boateng, the Etena/Bretuo Abusuapanyin contends that the Chieftaincy Act (2008), Act 759, requires that a lawful process be followed before a chief can be removed hence the kingmakers acted in violation of both tradition and the Chieftaincy Act in attempting to destool Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II.
On May 5, 2025, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II filed a motion seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain Baffuor Akoto Osei from holding himself out as Kwahuhene.
The Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs granted the injunction, restraining Baffuor Akoto Osei and six others — the Krontihene of Abene, Nana Simpe Owiredu III; the Akyeamehene of Abene, Nana Asiedu Kwabeng IV; the Baamuhene of Abene, Nana Ntim Sampong II; the Werempehene of Abene, Baffour Nyarko Kyerefuor II; Nana Odame Ansong; and Okyeame Akuoko Boateng — from interfering in the functions and authority of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II as Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, pending the final determination of the substantive case.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at a sitting in Koforidua, was presided over by Committee Chairman Okotwaasuo Kantamanto Oworae Agyekum III, with members Oklepeme Nuer Anobaah Sasraku II and Akusiaku Brempong Kumi Sasraku VIII.
The House of Chiefs ordered that all respondents, their assigns, agents, workers, or anyone acting on their behalf must refrain from interfering with the status, duties, or activities of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II as Kwahuhene.
It further ordered that the respondents are restrained from presenting or recognizing the 7th respondent -Baffuor Akoto Osei as Kwahuhene, and that the 7th respondent himself is restrained from holding himself out as Kwahuhene or performing any function or activity whatsoever at the Abene Palace.
On November 17, the police carried out an operation to enforce the Judicial Committee ruling, restoring Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II to the palace.
Despite initial tension, relative calm has since returned to the Kwahu Traditional Area.
However Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang II, who led the delegation said an appeal has been filed at the National House of Chiefs which they believe instantly sets aside the injunction granted by the Judicial Committee of The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
Source:Mybrtyfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
