The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has ordered investigation into the circumstances surrounding a supposed police operation in a matter connected to the traditional rulership of Kwahuman in the Eastern Region.
The operation, said to have been conducted at dawn yesterday, stirred controversy over the whereabouts of the Paramount Queenmother of Kwahu, Nana Adwoa Gyamfuah III, in the aftermath of the supposed police operation.
A statement issued by the Police Administration via an X Spaces account directed the release of the Queenmother of Kwahu, who was said to have been arrested following the said operation by some officers yesterday.
Nana Gyamfuah has since been released, a subsequent post by the police said yesterday.
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.
In the post on X, the police said: “Security has been intensified in and around Kwahu to ensure the security and safety of all persons”.
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 this year, 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 landmark 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 remains pending.
