The Queenmother of Kwahu, Nana Adwoa Gyamfua III, has returned to Kwahu Abene, after Monday morning’s arrest by some police personnel. She was taken to Accra, but on the orders of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), she was released and returned to Kwahu Abene the same day.
Also returned to Kwahu Abene, is Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, who was also taken to Accra on Monday morning by police personnel for protesting the arrest of the queenmother [See attached video below].
The involvement of the police personnel in the Monday morning operation at the Palace at Abene, created confusion, an uneasy calm and tension in the town.
The IGP, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who ordered the release of the queenmother, has also ordered a full investigation into the police operation in Kwahu.
There are indications that Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, who is challenging a purported destoolment, was involved in the Monday morning operation and was seen at the palace.
Some eyewitnesses said they saw Daasebre Akuamuah Agyapong II in the company of some police personnel and other people at the palace.
It is following this that the IGP has directed a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the supposed police operation in a matter connected to the traditional rulership of Kwahu in the Eastern Region.
The operation, said to have been conducted at dawn Monday, stirred controversy over the whereabouts of the Paramount Queenmother of Kwahu, Nana Adwoa Gyamfua III, in the aftermath of the supposed police operation.
The video below shows Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III (Baffour Akoto Osei, from the Etena Family of Nkwatia) protesting the arrest of the queenmother. He subsequently joined the police to take the queenmother to Accra. He has also returned to Kwahu Abene after the queenmother was released
A statement issued by the Police Administration directed the release of the queenmother, who was said to have been arrested following the said operation by some police personnel.
On her release, Nana Gyamfua III returned to Kwahu Abene.
The police said the IGP had directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the operation and to sanction any officers found culpable.
The police said: “Security has been intensified in and around Kwahu to ensure the security and safety of all persons.”
Meanwhile, the Kwahu Traditional Council in a press statement said Monday morning’s incident followed an interlocutory injunction issued on 24th June 2024 by the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs in favour of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II.
It said the Ghana Police Service acted pursuant to the Court Order to secure the peace and that the injunction restrains Baffour Osei Akoto, who has been “styling himself as Kwahuhene, together with the Queen Mother and others, from interfering with Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong Il’s occupation and duties at the Abene Palace.
It said Police intervention was necessary to prevent clashes that could endanger lives in Kwahu.
“We wish to state clearly that the Queen Mother does not reside at the Abene Palace, nor do any of the individuals who were arrested. Contrary to circulating rumors, no abduction has taken occurred,” the statement added
Context
The occupancy of the Kwahu chieftaincy stool has been in contention recently following controversy over the destoolment of the previous occupant and the legitimacy of the exercise.
Baffour Akoto Osei, from the Etena Family of Nkwatia, was enstooled as Kwahumanhene with the stool name Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, as the supposed successor to Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, who had been deemed to have been destooled.
But in June 2025, the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs placed an interlocutory injunction on Baffour Akoto Osei from holding himself as the Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area.
The Judicial Committee of the court, in its ruling in Koforidua, also prevented six other individuals from holding Baffour Akoto Osei as the Paramount Chief of the area.
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 referred to as Kwahumanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area.
Respondents
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.
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.
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.
Further application
However, Baffour Akoto Osei applied to the National House of Chiefs to set aside the interlocutory injunction.
The National House of Chiefs has appellate jurisdiction in chieftaincy matters.
The case is pending.
