National Security is enhancing security measures in Kwahu following a ruling by the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs regarding the occupancy of the Kwahu stool. The destoolment of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II from the Kwahuman stool and the subsequent enstoolment of Baffour Akoto Osei have reportedly heightened tensions in the area.
Unimpeachable sources have informed the Daily Graphic that National Security has instructed the Eastern Regional Security Council to implement 24-hour surveillance, particularly around the Abene Palace in the traditional area. This measure aims to prevent any potential skirmishes or violence between rival factions involved in the chieftaincy dispute.
Although the area has remained calm so far, National Security’s actions appear to be a proactive response to intelligence suggesting rising tensions over the rightful occupant of the Kwahuman stool. Additionally, sources indicate that aides close to Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II have petitioned National Security for increased security to maintain peace in the area.
Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II was deemed to have been destooled last year by persons purporting to act on behalf of the relevant traditional authority. Baffour Akoto Osei, from the Etena Family of Nkwatia, was later enstooled as Kwahumanhene with the stool name Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III as the supposed successor to Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II.
Interlocutory injunction
The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs last month issued an interlocutory injunction restraining Baffour Akoto Osei from presenting himself as the Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area. The Judicial Committee of the court, in its landmark ruling in Koforidua, also prevented six other individuals from holding Baffour Akoto Osei as the Paramount Chief of the area.
The six were the Krontihene of Abene, Nana Simpe Owiredu III; Akyeamehene of Abene, Nana Asiedu Kwabeng IV; Baamuhene of Abene, Nana Ntim Sampong II; Werempehene of Abene, Baffour Nyarko Kyerefuor II; Nana Odame Ansong and Okyeame Akuoko Boateng.
Per the injunction, Baffour Akoto Osei was prohibited from assuming, adopting or presenting himself under the stool name Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III or from purporting to be the Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, referred to as Kwahumanhene.
All seven respondents were further restrained from engaging in acts that might undermine, obstruct or interfere with the customary authority or privileges of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, the gazetted and lawfully recognised Omanhene of Kwahu, particularly at his official palace in Abene.
Judicial Committee
The Judicial Committee underscored the cardinal principle of Ghanaian customary law that no two persons may concurrently occupy the same paramountcy. The committee stated that it was, therefore, in the interest of peace, stability and lawful traditional governance that it deemed it necessary to preserve the status quo pending the final determination of the substantive matter.
The committee affirmed that any purported parallel installation while there was a validly installed and gazetted chief constituted a flagrant breach of customary law and the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759). The ruling followed a recent surge in tension within the Kwahu Traditional Council, driven by factional attempts to unseat Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II as the Omanhene, supposedly without adherence to due process.
The Judicial Committee’s intervention appeared to have acted as a stabilising measure, aiming to avert further disruption to traditional leadership in the Kwahu area. The three-member Judicial Committee was chaired by Okotwaasuo Kantamanto Oworae Agyekum III, the Paramount Chief of Akyem Bosome, with Oklepeme Nuer Anobaah Sasraku II, Konor of Yilo Klo Traditional Area, and Akusiaku Brempong Kumi Sasraku VIII, the Paramount Chief of Anum Traditional Area, as members.
By: Timothy Gobah