Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has dismissed media reports suggesting that she confirmed ordering the arrest of the Kwahu Hemaa, Nana Adwoa Gyemfua III, during a security operation on November 17, 2025.
Her clarification follows a meeting on December 1, 2025, with a delegation of Kwahu chiefs led by Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang III, Chief of Abetifi and Adontehene of Kwahu, who had visited the Regional Coordinating Council to present a petition on the matter.
According to the chiefs, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, had already apologized to them over the incident, admitting that officers who stormed the palace were in police uniform and that investigations had been initiated.
The IGP reportedly directed the chiefs to the Regional Minister as head of the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 2, the Minister clarified that while she apologized to the chiefs, it was not an admission of authorizing the arrest, but an acknowledgement of her regional leadership responsibilities.
“In my submission, I also apologized to the chiefs for the conduct of the police personnel who were involved in the unfortunate incident and accepted responsibility not because I sanctioned the arrest of the Kwahu-Hemaa but because I am Regional Minister and Head of the Regional Security Council.
Never in my submissions did I categorically say that I ordered for the arrest of Obahemaa. I maintain that as a leader, I take responsibility for wrong doings not because I sanctioned them but because I am in charge of those who were supposed to have acted better,” the statement said.
She added that her acceptance of responsibility was no different from the IGP’s apology. “I accepted responsibility just as the IGP did (according to the account of the chiefs through their spokesperson) because the incident happened in the Eastern Region for which I am Minister.”
The Minister described the misreporting as an attempt to derail ongoing peace efforts but expressed confidence that, with collective support, lasting peace would be restored.
She reaffirmed that REGSEC remains neutral in the chieftaincy dispute and is focused solely on maintaining security, protecting lives, and preserving property.
A video linked to the misleading reportage captured a chief identified as Nana Ntim Sarpong (Abene Bamuhene) alleging that the Minister sanctioned the arrest and calling on President John Mahama to remove her from office.
Background to the Kwahu Chieftaincy Dispute
Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II—born Eugene Kwasi Asante Boadi and a chartered accountant—was duly nominated, selected, and installed as Kwahuhene on June 5, 2017, after the passing of Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng II in 2014. He was entered into the National Register of Chiefs and gazetted on September 28, 2017.
Despite his recognition, some kingmakers performed rites to destool him, citing alleged reputational damage following his resignation as Board Chairman of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) amid allegations of financial impropriety in October 2025.
In January 2025, Baffuor Akoto Osei was purportedly installed as Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III to replace him and, with the support of heavily armed men, took over the Abene Palace.
However, some chiefs dispute his destoolment, arguing that it violated both tradition and the Chieftaincy Act (2008), Act 759, which outlines the legal process for removing a chief.
On May 5, 2025, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II secured an interlocutory injunction restraining Baffuor Akoto Osei from holding himself out as Kwahuhene. The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs upheld this injunction on June 24, 2025.
The ruling restrained all respondents and their agents from interfering in Daasebre’s authority or presenting the 7th respondent—Baffuor Akoto Osei—as chief.
On November 17, security personnel in police uniform conducted an operation to enforce the ruling, restoring Daasebre to the palace. Tensions have since eased, although the chiefs say an appeal has been filed at the National House of Chiefs, which they believe nullifies the earlier injunction.
Below is a copy of the statement
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
