Ghana’s Traditional Council Fires Back at DCE Over Chieftaincy Dispute

The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has fired back at the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akyemansa District, Linda Ahenkora, over a chieftaincy row that has been escalating in the Eastern Region. The council has demanded an apology from Ahenkora and called for the withdrawal of a July 7, 2026 letter that it claims purports to confer paramountcy status on the Etwereso Stool.

Council Accuses DCE of Unlawful Intervention

The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has accused Ahenkora of aligning herself with Etweresohene Ofosu Kwabi, whom it described as a “secessionist”, and unlawfully recognising and elevating him to traditional council status. The council has also accused the DCE of failing to exercise caution and seek clarification from the Ofori Panin Fie before taking any action on the matter.

In a letter dated August 12, 2026, the council's State Secretary, D.M. Ofori-Atta, accused Ahenkora of overstepping her authority. “A District Chief Executive cannot confer paramount status to any person or stool under the pretext of maintaining public peace, public order and administrative clarity,” the council said.

Chieftaincy Matters Reserved for Constitutionally Established Institutions

The council further argued that the administration, registration and recognition of chiefs are matters entrusted to constitutionally and legally established chieftaincy institutions, rather than Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). The council cited Article 270(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which it said prohibits even Parliament from enacting laws that confer on any person or authority the power to recognise or withdraw recognition from a chief, or otherwise undermine the dignity of the institution of chieftaincy.

No Regent Appointed for Etwereso Stool

The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council also clarified that it had not appointed a regent for the Etwereso Stool. For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Ofori-Atta said, “The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has not appointed any person as Regent for the Etwereso Stool.” He explained that a purported appointment of a regent was an inadvertent omission which was corrected after the matter was brought to the attention of the chiefs at a State Council meeting.

Council Warns of Escalation

The council has warned that failure by Ahenkora to withdraw the letter and apologise will result in the matter being escalated to the appropriate authorities. The chiefs have maintained that their position on the status of the Etweresohene remains unchanged, stressing that the Etwereso Stool is a sub-stool of the Benkum Division of the Ofori Panin Stool. The Okyenhene remains committed to resolving the matter through peaceful and lawful processes.

Source: JOY