Self-Proclaimed Kwahu Chief Baffour Akoto Osei Taken To Court Over Dispute With Traditional Leaders

A self-styled traditional ruler, Baffour Akoto Osei, is facing contempt proceedings after allegedly failing to honour court and chieftaincy council orders in an ongoing dispute over the rightful Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area in the Eastern Region. The move marks a significant development in a long-running conflict within the Kwahu chieftaincy.

The controversy centres on the installation of Osei, who has been styling himself as the Kwahumanhene, despite a court injunction and a ruling by the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs (ERHC) restraining him from presenting himself as the traditional ruler of Kwahu. The ERHC earlier granted an interim injunction preventing Osei and others from assuming or exercising the role of Omanhene while disputes over legitimacy continue.

According to reports, traditional authorities and rival factions maintain that the recognised and gazetted Omanhene of Kwahu is Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, and that attempts to install a parallel chief undermine recognised customary law and threaten peace in the area. The injunction from the regional house of chiefs aimed to preserve order pending final resolution of the dispute.

Baffour Akoto Osei’s alleged refusal to comply with the injunction has prompted the contempt action, which seeks to enforce the earlier legal and customary orders. The case is being handled in court, and those involved will be required to respond to the allegations of disregarding judicial and chieftaincy authority.

The situation reflects broader tensions within some traditional councils in Ghana, where disputes over rightful chieftaincy succession have occasionally led to legal battles and interventions by the Houses of Chiefs to uphold customary processes and stability.