At least three people have sustained gunshot wounds following violent clashes between police and supporters of embattled Asamankese Chief, Osabarima Adu Darko II, on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
The confrontation erupted over the burial of six royals from the opposing Akua Korang Akwamu Royal Family at the royal cemetery.
The incident, which occurred near the Asamankese Palace in the Eastern Region, also saw several police vehicles vandalized.
According to reports, tensions had been simmering between the Akua Korang Akwamu Abrade Royal Family and Osabarima Adu Darko II over burial rites that began on Thursday and were expected to conclude on Wednesday.
The embattled chief had reportedly secured a court injunction to stop the burial, contesting the interment of the deceased royals by his rival, Osabarima Kentinka Pobi Asomaning.
Police in the area, acting on intelligence that some youth had gathered near the palace to disrupt the ceremony, moved in to disperse them. However, the operation escalated into chaos, resulting in gunfire and the destruction of police vehicles.
Reinforcement teams were later deployed to restore calm. While investigations have been launched, it remains unclear whether any arrests have been made.
The violence adds to long-standing chieftaincy tensions in Asamankese.
About a month ago, the Akua Korang Akwamu Abrade Royal Family appealed to government to expedite efforts to resolve the decades-old dispute, citing frustrations over unimplemented rulings from the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, and the High Court in Koforidua.
The family said previous dialogue efforts initiated under the former administration had stalled, and a fresh petition submitted to the current government earlier this year has yet to receive a response.
Osabarima Kentinka Pobi Asomaning, who claims to be the legitimate chief of Asamankese, insists that the Akua Korang lineage is the rightful custodian of the stool lands and that no individual outside the family can legitimately ascend the throne.
He accused his rival, Osabarima Adu Darko II, of relying on a fraudulent gazette to claim legitimacy.
The family maintains that Asomaning was duly installed under the Chieftaincy Act and called on the government to enforce existing judicial decisions to restore order and peace in Asamankese.
They also demanded the removal of Osabarima Adu Darko II from the palace in compliance with court directives before any dialogue on reconciliation can proceed.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
