Kwahuhene Has Not Been Lawfully Destooled –Court Told

Nana Kwaku Boateng, Etena/Bretuo Ebusuapanyin of Kubause Abetifi, has petitioned the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, urging it to declare that Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II remains the legitimate Kwahuhene.

In his petition, Nana Boateng asserts that Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II has not been lawfully destooled in accordance with constitution and Kwahu custom.

He is, therefore, seeking several reliefs, including a declaration that the respondents – Nana Simpe Owiredu III (Krontihene, Abene), Nana Asiedu Kwarena II (Akyeamhene, Abene), Nana Ntim Sampong (Banmuhene, Abene), Baffour Nyarko Kyerefo (Werempehene, Abene), Okyeame Akuoko (Abene) and Nana Kwasi Asong (Abene) – acted in violation of tradition and the Chieftaincy Act in their purported destoolment of DaasebreAkuamoah Agyapong II.

The petitioner requests the Judicial Committee to;

1. Declare that Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II remains the rightful Kwahuhene and has never been lawfully destooled.
2. Nullify and void the alleged customary rites performed by the respondents to signify the purported destoolment.
3. Order the respondents to reverse their actions and perform the necessary customs to restore Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II.
4. Restrain the respondents from interfering in any way with Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II’s authority and functions as Kwahuhene.
5. Prevent the respondents and their associates from recognising or dealing with any other chief as the acting Kwahuhene.

Background of the Dispute

According to the petition, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II was lawfully nominated, selected and enstooled as Kwahuhene on June 5, 2017 following the passing of Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng II, on September 9, 2014.

His name was duly entered into the National Register of Chiefs on September 28, 2017.

Despite his recognition and active performance of customary and statutory duties as Kwahuhene, the respondents allegedly performed certain rites to declare him destooled.

This move has sparked division among some chiefs and people of Kwahu, with some claiming the traditional area currently has no Omanhene and others recognising the Kwahu Adontehene as acting Kwahuhene.

The petitioner argued that under Kwahu and Akan customs, a chief cannot be destooled unless formal charges are brought against him and he is given a fair hearing before a judicial chieftaincy committee. The Chieftaincy Act (2008), Act 759, also mandates a proper legal process before a chief can be removed.

The petition also alleges that the respondents and other chiefs of Kwahu have warned Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II against stepping into the palace.

On a recent occasion, security forces had to intervene to rescue him from an alleged attack instigated by the respondents and their associates.

On January 25, 2025 the respondents reportedly enstooled the seventh respondent as Omanhene of Kwahu, despite the fact that no competent judicial body has ruled on Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II’s destoolment.

The petitioner insists that this move is illegitimate and seeks the court’s intervention to prevent further interference with Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II’s reign.

The petition, dated January 27, 2025 is now before the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, awaiting deliberation.

The post Kwahuhene Has Not Been Lawfully Destooled –Court Told appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story