Kwahu Traditional Leaders Demand Answers Over Police Raid on Kwahuhene Palace and Unresolved Petitions
Traditional authorities in the Kwahu Traditional Area have expressed growing frustration and renewed their call for accountability from state institutions following a controversial police raid on the Kwahuhene palace and months of silence on formal petitions submitted in response to the incident.
The palace secretary of the Esono Gyimah Ampong Agyei Fie — the official seat of the Kwahuhene — stated that Nananom remain deeply concerned by the lack of any meaningful update or communication from the Office of the Inspector-General of Police or the Eastern Regional Minister regarding investigations into the November 17, 2025, operation.
According to the palace, heavily armed police officers stormed the Kwahuhene palace at approximately 3:00 a.m. on that date. Residents described the raid as shocking and disproportionate, with reports of gunshots fired, people manhandled, and arrests carried out within the traditional premises. The Kwahuhene, the Kwahuhemaa, and several palace staff were reportedly removed from the palace and transported to Police Headquarters in Accra.
Traditional leaders insist the operation occurred without any prior consultation with the palace authorities and maintain there was no immediate threat to public safety or emergency situation that warranted such an early-morning intervention by armed personnel.
In the aftermath, Nananom submitted a formal petition to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police on November 26, 2025, highlighting concerns over the conduct of certain police officers and questioning possible links to the long-standing Kwahu chieftaincy dispute. The petition also raised questions about the involvement — or perceived involvement — of state actors in escalating tensions within the traditional area.
A follow-up letter was later dispatched seeking progress updates. In an initial response, the police acknowledged receipt of the petition, stated that aspects related to the chieftaincy dispute had been referred to the Eastern Regional Minister, and confirmed that the conduct of the officers involved was under internal investigation.
The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council similarly acknowledged the petition and assured the palace that the matters would receive attention.
Despite these acknowledgements, several months have passed with no further communication, no invitation for the traditional authorities to assist with any inquiry, and no reported progress shared with the palace.
Nananom say the prolonged silence is eroding public confidence in state institutions and risks deepening divisions in an already sensitive chieftaincy environment.
The traditional leaders are therefore appealing directly to the government of President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and direct the relevant offices to break the impasse. They are specifically demanding:
A detailed update on the status and outcome of investigations into the conduct of police personnel during the palace raid
Clarification on any actions taken or planned by the Eastern Regional Minister in relation to the referred aspects of the chieftaincy dispute
Firm assurances that security agencies will maintain strict neutrality and professionalism in all matters concerning the Kwahu Traditional Area
Despite the unresolved grievances, the traditional authorities reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to peace, respect for the rule of law, and the preservation of the dignity and integrity of the Kwahu Paramountcy.
