The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has refuted some media reports alleging that she sanctioned the arrest of the Queen Mother of Kwahu , Nana Adwoa Gyemfua III, describing the claims as false and a misrepresentation of events.
The Minister’s response follows a publication by Agoo 96.9 FM, which reported that Abene Bamuhene, Nana Ntim Sarpong, had claimed she confirmed authorizing the arrest of the Queen Mother.
The media outlet also circulated a video in which the chief repeated the allegation and demanded the removal of the Minister from her office.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the Eastern Regional Minister dismissed the assertions outright, stressing that she never ordered the arrest of the Kwahu Hemaa and that such claims distort the facts.
According to her, on Monday, December 1, 2025, a delegation of Kwahu chiefs visited the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council to inform her of the steps they had taken following the Queen Mother’s arrest and to relay a referral from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for further engagement with her office on regional security matters.
The chiefs, led by the Kwahu-Abetifihene, told the Minister that the IGP had apologized to them for the incident, acknowledging that the individuals who entered the palace wore police uniforms and that he had ordered an investigation.
The chiefs said the IGP expressed regret because the personnel involved were under the Police Service and further directed them to the Regional Minister as the head of the Eastern Regional Security Council.
Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey explained that during the meeting, she also apologized to the chiefs—not because she authorized the arrest, but because she holds leadership responsibility as Regional Minister.
“Never in my submissions did I categorically say that I ordered the arrest of the Queen Mother,” she clarified. “I take responsibility for the conduct of the officers involved not because I sanctioned their actions, but because I am in charge of those who were supposed to have acted better.”
She added that, just like the IGP who apologized according to the chiefs’ account, she accepted responsibility since the incident occurred within the region under her jurisdiction.
The Minister described the circulating claims as an “unfortunate twist of facts” that undermines ongoing peace efforts in the area. She reaffirmed the Regional Security Council’s neutrality in the chieftaincy dispute and emphasized their commitment to ensuring peace and security.
“I therefore call on everyone to disregard the unfortunate reportage that is aimed at tarnishing my reputation and that of the Regional Security Council,” she said.
Background
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
