Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The Akuapem Traditional Council in the Eastern Region has dismissed claims contained in a recent press release issued by the Okuapehemaa, Nana Afua Nketiaa Obuo II, describing the statement as misleading and inaccurate, particularly regarding the legitimacy of the Okuapehene and the impending enstoolment of former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, as Mmrahene of the Akuapem Traditional Area.

In a detailed response signed by the Akuapem Traditional Council, the Council maintained that Okuapeman has a duly recognised Paramount Chief in the person of Kwasi Akuffo III, whose enstoolment and recognition, it said, followed the lawful customary and statutory processes governing succession to the Okuapehene Stool.

The Council also disclosed that Okuapehemaa Nana Afua Nketiaa Obuo II is currently under indefinite suspension following a resolution passed earlier this year by all five Divisional Chiefs of the Akuapem Traditional Area over what it described as “serious customary violations and misconduct.” According to the statement, the suspension was publicly announced during a Traditional Council meeting held on December 19, 2025, by Osahene Boafo Ansah III, Krontihene and Senior Divisional Chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area.

Providing background to the chieftaincy dispute, the Council explained that succession to the Okuapehene Stool is regulated by Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 32 of 1960, which mandates rotational succession among three royal families — the Nketiaa Royal Family, the Amma Ogyaa Royal Family, and the Sakyiabea Royal Family.

The statement noted that under the governing law, the authority to nominate a candidate for the stool lies with the Abrewatia, the matriarch of the royal family whose turn it is to produce a chief. In the current succession process, the Abrewatia of the Sakyiabea Royal Family reportedly nominated Odehye Kwadwo Kesse for the stool.

However, the Council alleged that the Okuapehemaa and the Asonahene failed to forward the nominee’s name to the kingmakers and instead introduced another candidate, Odehye Kwasi Akuffo, also known as Joe Farrell. This development led to legal proceedings before the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.

According to the statement, the Judicial Committee ruled in favour of the Abrewatia, Lily Agyemang, declaring that the authority to nominate an Okuapehene rests with the Abrewatia and not the Queenmother. The Committee subsequently declared the nomination and enstoolment of the rival candidate null and void and awarded GH¢25,000 in costs against the Okuapehemaa.

The Council further stated that following the judgment, seven out of the eleven recognised kingmakers proceeded with the vetting and election process and eventually enstooled Odehye Kwadwo Kesse as Kwasi Akuffo III.

It added that all five Divisional Chiefs swore allegiance to him, after which he was gazetted, entered into the National Register of Chiefs, inducted into the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, and formally installed as President of the Akuapem Traditional Council.

The statement also referenced an appeal filed by the Okuapehemaa and others before the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs challenging both the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs ruling and the legitimacy of the enstoolment.

According to the Council, the appeal was unanimously dismissed, with the National House of Chiefs affirming that the power to nominate an Okuapehene lies solely with the Abrewatia. The Council said the Okuapehemaa was again ordered to pay GH¢50,000 in costs.

Addressing claims relating to contempt proceedings before the Koforidua High Court, the Council argued that contempt cases do not determine chieftaincy status. It noted that although there had been multiple contempt applications involving both factions, the most recent ruling delivered on May 20, 2025, dismissed an application filed by the Okuapehemaa and awarded GH¢30,000 costs against her.

The statement also cited a Supreme Court pronouncement made on February 20, 2024, during judicial review proceedings, where the apex court reportedly held that allegations suggesting the High Court ruling determined chieftaincy matters were “not founded.”

The Akuapem Traditional Council therefore maintained that Okuapeman has a legitimate, recognised and gazetted Paramount Chief and insisted that the upcoming enstoolment of Sophia Akuffo as Mmrahene of the Akuapem Traditional Area remains valid and unquestionable.

Justice Sophia Akuffo, a former Chief Justice of Ghana, also served as President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Chairperson of the University of Ghana Governing Council, and currently serves as a member of Ghana’s Council of State.

The statement concluded with a call for unity and prayers for the progress of Okuapeman and Ghana.