The Royal Akua Korang Akwamu Lineage, the indigenous ruling clan of Asamankese, led by Osaberima Ateabisa Kanrinka Pobi Asumaning I, has appealed to the Government of Ghana and key state institutions to urgently intervene in the protracted chieftaincy dispute threatening peace and stability in the area.
Addressing a news conference at Asamankese in the Eastern Region yesterday, on Monday, the family expressed concern over what they described as the failure of the state institutions to enforce the numerous rulings by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, the Koforidua High Court and the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, which went in their favour.
“We are appealing to the Government of Ghana and all relevant institutions of state to uphold the rule of law and ensure that existing decisions made by the courts and traditional judicial committees are implemented,” Osaberima Ateabisa Kanrinka Pobi Asumaning I said.
The family stated that the continued silence and inaction from state and traditional authorities could inflame tensions in the community, despite their repeated efforts to seek resolution through legal and customary channels.
Unimplemented Judgments
According to the royal family, the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs’ Judicial Committee, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council’s Judicial Committee, and the Koforidua High Court have all ruled in their favour.
However, they alleged that these rulings remain unenforced, creating a leadership vacuum. “We have engaged all relevant authorities over the years, including the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
“While previous administrations showed some commitment, we have yet to see decisive action from the current government. We are now appealing directly to the State to preserve peace and justice,” the statement added.
Alleged Impostor and Fake Gazette
The family further alleged that an individual currently presenting himself as the Osabarima of Asamankese is not a member of the royal lineage, accusing him of operating under a fraudulent gazette.
They stressed that the only legitimate chief, recognized both by custom and law, is Osabarima Kentinka Pobi Asomaning, who was installed in line with the Chieftaincy Act and the family’s ancestral succession protocols.
Historical and Land Custodianship
The lineage reaffirmed its authority as custodians of Asamankese lands, pointing to a long-standing traditional land-sharing agreement with the Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa, which allocates one-third of land proceeds to the overlord.
“We remind the government that we are the rightful custodians of all Asamankese lands. No external person has the mandate to ascend to the stool or manage our lands,” the family declared.
They also highlighted that the Asamankese Divisional Stool was formally established in the 1930s and 1940s through a colonial executive instrument specifically for their lineage.
Concluding their appeal, the Royal Akua Korang Lineage urged the Government of Ghana, traditional authorities, the judiciary, civil society, and the international community to ensure peace by enforcing existing rulings and safeguarding customary traditions.
“Any attempt to alter the traditional succession or inheritance process will be resisted. We are law-abiding citizens, but we cannot allow our inheritance to be taken through silence or administrative neglect.”
PETITION
Earlier, the Royal Akua Korang Akwamu Lineage of Asamankese had formally petitioned the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and President John Dramani Mahama over what it described as years of neglect in resolving the protracted chieftaincy conflict in the town.
In a letter datedMarch 10, 2025 and signed by Abusuapannin Kwesi Asare, the family appealed to the Presidency to urgently intervene, warning that the situation, if left unresolved, could spark insecurity in the West Akyem Municipality.
A Ticking Time Bomb
The petition noted that for more than eight years, Asamankese has been engulfed in a chieftaincy crisis that has derailed development and undermined peace.
“Minister, in the past eight years, Asamankese has been engulfed in a protracted chieftaincy conflict that has derailed the development of the West Akyem Municipality and impinged on the peace and tranquillity of the township.
“This conflict has been a time bomb, but for the peaceful posture and careful leadership of our lineage, matters could have escalated,” the letter read.
The family emphasised that despite repeated efforts by stakeholders to bring the matter to finality, judgments delivered by the Koforidua High Court, the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, and the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council’s Judicial Committee have not been enforced.
Endorsement of Osabarima Pobi Asomaning
The petition recounted how, after prevailing in the legal and traditional adjudications, the Akua Korang Akwamu Abrade clan comprising royal representatives from Akwatia, Kwamang and Asamankese endorsed S.K. Boadu, then chief of Aworasa, for his proven developmental leadership.
He was subsequently enstooled as Osabarima Ateabisa Kentinka Pobi Asomaning, the Divisional Chief of Asamankese, after the performance of all required Akan (Akyem Abuakwa and Akwamu) customs and rituals.
The royal family, however, alleged that during the installation rituals at the palace, armed personnel from the national security forcefully ejected them.
“After the enstoolment and installation of Osabarima Ateabisa Kentinka Pobi Asomaning, and after all necessary rituals were performed, officers from national security ransacked us from the palace,” the petition said.
They claimed that this action created an opening for another individual who had lost all legal battles in the courts and traditional councils to parade himself as the Osabarima of Asamankese, in what the family described as an illegal occupation.
The Chronicle has, however, not independently confirmed this allegation.
The family expressed disappointment in the immediate past political administration, which they said ignored their petitions despite acknowledging the disturbances.
They warned that growing frustration among the youth of the lineage could boil over if the issue is not resolved.
“We have come to you through this petition because our youth have given the leadership a three-month ultimatum within your administration to resolve this matter. If not, the worst security crisis will besiege Asamankese,” the petition cautioned.
The Akua Korang Akwamu Lineage urged President Mahama and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to act swiftly by enforcing all valid judgments and restoring legitimacy to the Asamankese Divisional Stool to safeguard peace and development in the municipality.
