Kwahu Abene Palace Under Siege: Chiefs Accuse Government of Security Takeover in Chieftaincy Dispute

Nearly three months after media reports of the invasion of the Kwahu Abene Palace, concerns continue to mount over the deteriorating state of the traditional seat of the Kwahuhene, amid accusations that the government is using state security to interfere in Kwahu chieftaincy matters.

In November 2025, police officers reportedly stormed the Esono Gyimah Ampong Agyei Fie, the ancestral palace and seat of the Kwahuhene at Kwahu Abene, allegedly without provocation. During the operation, the Paramount Queen Mother of Kwahu, Nana Adwoa Gyamfuah III, together with other traditional functionaries, was reportedly abducted and taken to the police headquarters.

Subsequent reports indicated that the action was carried out without the prior knowledge of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno. Upon being informed of the incident, the IGP was said to have ordered the immediate release of the Queen Mother and others who had been detained. Notably, no formal charges were preferred against them, nor were statements taken, according to the affected chiefs.

Further engagements by Kwahu chiefs with the offices of the IGP and the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Awatey revealed that the continued occupation of the palace by the police was a decision under the authority of the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), chaired by the Regional Minister. The chiefs were informed that the withdrawal of the police from the palace remained at the discretion of REGSEC.

On Monday, a group of media practitioners from across Kwahu visited the Abene Palace to assess its condition after nearly three months of police occupation. However, security officers stationed at the palace denied the media access to the premises, citing “orders from above” not to allow entry even by Kwahu chiefs.

In an exclusive interview, Nana Ntim Sampong II, Baamuhene of Kwahu Abene, accused the government of having a vested interest in the Kwahu chieftaincy dispute.

According to him, Kwahu had enjoyed relative peace prior to the police intervention, yet armed officers suddenly took over the palace and allegedly subjected innocent residents to severe beatings. He claimed that those assaulted were later released without charges or official documentation.

Nana Ntim Sampong II further alleged that the former Kwahuhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong III, had publicly stated that he is a member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and believes he was removed from office during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. The Baamuhene claimed that the former chief has suggested that now that his party is in power, efforts are underway to restore him to the stool.

The Baamuhene challenged President John Dramani Mahama to personally intervene in the Kwahu chieftaincy matter, just as he has done in other traditional conflicts such as the Bawku crisis, to demonstrate neutrality and commitment to peace.

Since the police takeover of the Abene Palace, Kwahu traditional authorities have made several efforts to regain access to the palace through official petitions, engagements with security agencies, and appeals to political leadership at both regional and national levels. Despite these efforts, the palace remains under police occupation, raising concerns about the preservation of sacred traditional spaces, the conduct of customary rites, and the autonomy of traditional institutions.

Chiefs and residents fear that the prolonged security presence has not only led to physical deterioration of the palace but has also deepened tensions surrounding the already sensitive Kwahu chieftaincy dispute.

As the situation persists, stakeholders continue to call for dialogue, respect for customary authority, and the withdrawal of state security from the palace to allow traditional processes and lawful adjudication to take their course.

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