The Akuapem Traditional Council has been formally notified of a strong legal response by members of the Nketiaah Royal Family of Akropong, rejecting a petition filed by some divisional chiefs (Mpankafɔ) against the Nana Afua Obuo Nketiaah II, the Okuapemhemaa.
In a letter dated December 23, 2025, counsel for the family, Raymond Bagnabu, described the petition as “self-serving” and lacking both customary and legal basis under Akuapem traditional law.
The petition, which has circulated widely on social media, accuses the Okuapemhemaa of alleged misconduct and failure to cooperate with divisional chiefs in matters relating to customary rites and traditional administration.
However, the Nketiaah Royal Family insists the allegations are unfounded and misleading, stressing that the petitioners are neither members of the Nketiaah Royal Family nor any of the three recognised royal houses eligible to ascend the Ofori Kuma Stool of Akuapem Akropong.
According to the response, the petitioners also lack the authority under Akuapem custom to compel the Okuapemhemaa to nominate a candidate for enstoolment as Okuapemhene.
The statement further cites existing court rulings restraining Kwadwo Kesse Antwi from parading himself as Okuapemhene, noting that it is “preposterous” for the petitioners to accuse the Queenmother of refusing to attend meetings chaired by a person barred by the courts from acting in that capacity.
The family also rejected claims relating to the celebration of the Odwira Festival, stating that under Akropong customary law, all rites, rituals, and festival announcements are conducted strictly under the authority of the Okuapemhemaa in the absence of an Okuapemhene.
The petitioners have been given seven days to retract the petition, failing which the family says it will pursue legal redress in the courts.
Copies of the response have been forwarded to key traditional authorities within the Akuapem Traditional Area.
FULL STATEMENT
RAYMOND BAGNABU ESQ
(Solicitor & Barrister)
P.O. Box CT 6299 Cantonments,
Accra – Ghana
Tel: +233-302-934672 / +233-024-3659232
E-mail: bagnabu@yahoo.com
23rd December 2025
The Registrar
Akuapem Traditional Council
Akropong
Dear Sir/Madam,
RE: PETITION AGAINST THE OKUAPEMHEMEA NANA AFUA OBUO NKETIAAH II BY MPANKAFO (DIVISIONAL CHIEFS) OF AKUAPEM TRADITIONAL AREA
I act as lawyer for Abusuapanyin Edmund Ohene Asa Agyekum and Mrs. Nana Kumiwaa Amgba, head and Abrewatia respectively of the Nketiaah Royal Family of Akropong, one of the three ruling houses to the Ofori Kuma Stool of Akuapem Akropong, acting for themselves and the said family, and it is upon their instructions that I write.
My clients’ attention has been drawn to the petition above-mentioned on social media by some persons purporting to be the Mpankafɔ (Divisional Chiefs) of the Akuapem Traditional Area, in which petition my clients and their family are accused of ignoring misconduct on the part of the Okuapemhemaa.
I have their instructions and that of the Nketiaah Royal Family to respond to the petition as follows:
- The petitioners are not members of the Nketiaah Royal Family, nor are they members of any of the three Royal Houses, namely Nketiaah, Ama Ogyinae and Sakyibia Royal Families of Akropong.
- The petitioners therefore have no locus or authority under Akuapem customary law to compel the Okuapemhemaa to nominate a particular candidate for enstoolment as Okuapemhene.
- That the Okuapemhemaa has not acted contrary to any known custom of the Akuapem Traditional Area.
- That the petition is a self-serving attempt orchestrated to demonize the Okuapemhemaa and force her to accept the candidature of a person she has never nominated to be chief in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Akuapem Traditional Area.
- That under Akropong customary law, in the absence of an occupant of the Ofori Kuma Stool (Okuapemhene), all Odwira Festival rites, rituals and announcements are performed strictly under the authority of the Okuapemhemaa.
- That any attempt by the petitioners to perform such customary rites without authorization is contrary to the customs and traditions of Akropong.
- That it is preposterous for the petitioners to accuse the Queenmother of refusing to attend Traditional Council meetings chaired by one Kwadwo Kesse Antwi, who has been restrained by the courts from parading himself as Okuapemhene and has been convicted for contempt for doing so.
I am finally instructed by my clients to notify the petitioners that we demand a retraction of the petition within seven (7) days of this letter, failing which I am fully instructed to seek legal redress in the courts.
Yours faithfully,
RAYMOND BAGNABU, ESQ
Cc:
- Nana Gyan Kwasi II, Adontehene of Akuapem, Aburi
- Nana Osim Kwatia, Gyasehene of Akuapem, Amanokrom
- Osa Barima Asiedu Okoor, Benkumhene of Akuapem, Larteh
- Nana Otutu Ababio, Ohene of Aduikrom
- Kwaku Aboagye, styling himself as Krontihene of Akuapem, Kyekrotia, Akropong
