Kwahu: Armed group led by Yaa Asantewaa allegedly kidnaps and attempts destoolment of Adontenhene

Ghanaian

The Acting President of the Kwahu Traditional Area, Kwahu Adontenhene, and Kwahu Abetifihene, Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang III, was reportedly attacked and kidnapped on Thursday, November 7th, in a dramatic incident allegedly orchestrated by Obaapanyin Yaa Asantewaa.

Leading a group of armed men who identified themselves as National Security operatives, Yaa Asantewaa, and her entourage stormed the palace, detaining Akyemfour Asiedu

Read full articleAgyemang III.

Presenting herself as the Abrewatia (chief’s wife) of the Kwahu area, Yaa Asantewaa entered the palace with these men, securing control and detaining Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang III. Once inside, she reportedly carried out traditional destoolment rites, including the ritual slaughter of a sheep—a symbolic act to signify the removal of the chief.

News of this attempted destoolment quickly spread throughout the community, drawing local youth armed with machetes to the palace to defend their chief.

The intervention of local law enforcement, supported by police and military personnel, brought calm to the situation, averting further unrest.

Yaa Asantewaa and the alleged operatives were subdued and detained, with Yaa Asantewaa paraded nakedly through the town amid local outrage. One of the attackers was reported dead, while security forces were able to disperse the crowd and transport the injured to the hospital.

Traditional leaders in Abetifi later performed counter-rites to reaffirm Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang III as the legitimate chief.

At a press conference held on Saturday, Kwahu Adontenhene Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang III expressed his gratitude to Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for the Abetifi Constituency, for his swift response and support. He also commended the police and military for their timely intervention.

Meanwhile, the Mpraeso District Court, under the direction of Her Lordship Adwoa Akyemaa Ofosu, has remanded 26 suspects into police custody. They are scheduled to reappear in court on November 14, 2024, facing charges in connection with the alleged attack and kidnapping of Kwahu Adontenhene Akyemfour Asiedu Agyemang III.