The Concerned Youth of Asante has accused some government appointees and security personnel of unlawfully interfering in chieftaincy matters across the country, warning that such actions could undermine traditional institutions and threaten peace and stability.
Addressing a press conference, the group’s President, Nana Agyenim Boateng, popularly known as Gyataba, expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of political and administrative interference in the selection, installation, and recognition of chiefs.
According to the group, one of the most notable cases involves the Sampa traditional area, where it said Nana Samgba Gyafla II, the Sampamanhene, lawfully selected and installed a chief through established customary procedures. The group stated that the chief subsequently performed all required traditional rites, swore the oath of allegiance before the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and was later gazetted by the state.
However, the group alleged that a rival claimant has emerged to challenge the stool despite lacking lawful authority and customary legitimacy.
The Concerned Youth of Asante also linked the dispute to recent violence in Sampa, claiming that two individuals, Alfred Kofi Sono and Alhaji Abdulai, believed to be supporters of the gazetted chief, were killed in broad daylight. The group further alleged that the police failed to respond adequately to the situation.
The group said similar developments were occurring in Bawku and other parts of the country, where chieftaincy disputes continue to pose security challenges.
Nana Agyenim Boateng alleged that some government officials and security personnel were supporting unlawful claims to traditional stools, thereby undermining legally recognized chiefs and creating tensions within communities.
He cited recent remarks by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who cautioned government officials and security agencies against interfering in chieftaincy disputes and urged them to respect judicial decisions and customary procedures.
“The Concerned Youth of Asante fully endorses the position of the Asantehene and believes his warning should serve as a guide to all public officials,” he said.
The group also argued that the actions of some government appointees appear to contradict President John Dramani Mahama’s stated position that government does not determine who becomes a chief and that only duly enstooled and gazetted chiefs whose names appear in the National Register of Chiefs are recognized by the state.
The youth group called on President Mahama to ensure that ministers, regional ministers, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives, and other government officials refrain from interfering in chieftaincy matters.
It further urged the Ministry of the Interior and security agencies to remain neutral and uphold the Constitution, the Chieftaincy Act, and lawful directives governing traditional leadership disputes.
The group also called on relevant state institutions to recognize and protect duly gazetted chiefs and to respect the authority of the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs as well as the judicial mechanisms established to resolve chieftaincy disputes.
Additionally, the Concerned Youth of Asante called on the government and the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Randolph Obah, whom it identified as the individual parading himself as the rival or recognized chief of Sampa under the stool name Nana Yaw Sammor-Duah II.
According to the group, no individual should hold himself out as a chief without lawful authority, arguing that similar action had been taken against individuals in other chieftaincy disputes.
The group further called for the removal of Bono Regional Minister Joseph Addae, alleging that his actions had contributed to tensions surrounding the Sampa chieftaincy dispute.
Despite its concerns, the Concerned Youth of Asante said it remains committed to pursuing justice through lawful and peaceful means while safeguarding the dignity and authority of traditional leadership.
The group appealed to all stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies and traditional authorities, to respect the law and allow constitutionally mandated institutions to address chieftaincy disputes without interference.
“We remain committed to peace, justice and the preservation of our revered traditional institutions,” Nana Agyenim Boateng stated.
Source: Sarrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
