Traditional authorities in the Kwahu Traditional Area have raised serious concerns over what they describe as the prolonged silence of key state institutions following petitions submitted after a controversial police operation at the Kwahuhene Palace late last year.
The concerns were contained in a statement issued by the Palace Secretary of the Esono Gyimah Ampong Agyei Fie at Kwahu Abene on behalf of Nananom of the Kwahu Traditional Area.
According to the statement, the traditional leaders are worried about the continued lack of response from the Office of the Inspector-General of Police and the Office of the Eastern Regional Minister regarding petitions filed over developments linked to the ongoing Kwahu chieftaincy dispute.
Nananom recalled that in the early hours of November 17, 2025, at about 3:00 a.m., armed police personnel reportedly stormed the Esono Gyimah Ampong Agyei Fie, the seat of the Kwahuhene, in what residents described as an unprecedented security operation.
The palace said the operation involved heavily armed officers who allegedly fired gunshots and subjected some residents within the palace premises to acts of brutality, creating panic and fear in the community.
The raid, according to palace sources, led to the arrest of the Kwahuhene, the Kwahuhemaa and some palace staff, who were subsequently transported from the palace to the Police Headquarters in Accra.
Palace authorities claim the arrests were carried out despite the absence of any known provocation or immediate threat to public safety at the time of the operation.
The incident, they noted, created widespread anxiety within the community and raised questions about the role of state security agencies in matters concerning the Kwahu Paramountcy.
Following the incident and other related developments, Nananom submitted a formal petition to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police on November 26, 2025, outlining concerns about the conduct of certain police personnel and their involvement in issues connected to the chieftaincy dispute.
The petition also raised concerns about the possible role of some state actors in escalating tensions within the traditional area.
Subsequently, the Palace Secretary, acting on the instructions of Nananom of the Esono Gyimah Ampong Agyei Fie, sent a follow-up letter to the Inspector-General of Police requesting clarification and updates on the issues raised in the earlier petition.
In response, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police acknowledged receipt of the petition and indicated that matters relating to the chieftaincy dispute had been referred to the Eastern Regional Minister, while concerns regarding the conduct of police personnel were said to be under investigation.
Similarly, the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council also acknowledged receipt of the petition and assured the traditional authorities that the issues raised would be addressed.
However, several months after these acknowledgements, Nananom say they have not received any further communication from either the police administration or the Office of the Eastern Regional Minister.
According to the palace, since the submission of the petition and subsequent follow-up correspondence, the traditional authorities have not been invited to assist in any investigations, nor have they been informed of any progress made on the serious issues raised.
The situation, they say, has generated concern within the Kwahu Traditional Area and among stakeholders who expect fairness, transparency, and accountability from state institutions.
Nananom further noted that the continued silence risks creating the impression that legitimate concerns raised by the traditional leadership are not receiving the urgent attention they deserve.
They warned that such silence could also fuel perceptions that the actions or inactions of certain state authorities may be contributing to tensions surrounding the already sensitive chieftaincy dispute.
The traditional leaders emphasized that chieftaincy matters in Ghana require the highest level of neutrality, responsibility, and sensitivity from government officials and security institutions.
According to them, when petitions submitted by traditional authorities remain unanswered without explanation, it undermines public confidence and has the potential to escalate tensions.
Nananom therefore called on the government of John Dramani Mahama to take urgent steps to ensure that the appropriate institutions address the concerns raised and uphold the principles of justice, neutrality and respect for traditional authority.
Specifically, they are calling on the relevant authorities to provide an update on investigations into the conduct of police personnel involved in the November 17 raid on the Kwahuhene Palace, clarify actions taken by the Eastern Regional Minister following the referral of the chieftaincy-related issues, and ensure that state security agencies remain neutral in handling matters related to the dispute.
Nananom reaffirmed their commitment to peace, the rule of law and the preservation of the dignity of the Kwahu Paramountcy.
However, they cautioned that the continued silence from the relevant authorities could undermine efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability within the traditional area.
They expressed the hope that the appropriate state institutions would act swiftly in the interest of justice, transparency, and lasting peace in the Kwahu Traditional Area.
