The Aowin Traditional Council in the Western North Region has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to swiftly intervene in restoring peace, law, and order within the traditional area.
According to the traditional authorities, the area has come under siege, its peace shattered, with residents enduring a period of fear and disruption.
At the center of this unrest—creating instability and undermining peace in the area—are unlawful actions and political manipulation surrounding the enstoolment of one Thomas Antwi-Agyei.
He is reported to have allegedly proclaimed himself under the stool name Nana Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III.
The Council’s petition, detailed at a press conference on Friday, May 23, 2025, was read by Nana Kwame Nkansah II, Mponuahene of the Aowin Traditional Area.
In the petition, Mr. Antwi-Agyei is accused of widespread abuse of power, including the formation of armed vigilante groups, illegal mining operations, brutal attacks on citizens, financial embezzlement, and the unlawful installation of rival chiefs.
Highlights of the brutal incidents include the severe beating of one Mr. Koomson by vigilantes acting on Mr. Antwi-Agyei’s orders, which led to the incarceration of his attackers.
“Mr. Antwi-Agyei has formed unauthorized and armed vigilante groups to enforce his rule. These groups have intimidated residents, extorted funds from small-scale miners, and confiscated equipment, which they store at the palace,” parts of the accusations read.
On the issue of vigilante militias, Mr. Antwi-Agyei was again accused of forming unauthorized and armed groups to enforce his rule.
These groups, the petition said, have intimidated residents, extorted funds from small-scale miners, and confiscated equipment, which they store at the palace.
Expressing dismay over the matter, they stated that the activities of these groups “violate civil rights, disrupt economic activities, and undermine lawful security structures.”
In a direct affront to institutional authority, Mr. Antwi-Agyei and his associates are said to have forcibly entered the Aowin Traditional Council office, removing official documents, furniture, and records, which were later relocated to his self-declared “Office of the Paramountcy.”
The petition continues that under Mr. Antwi-Agyei’s leadership, four individuals were murdered in incidents linked to his vigilantes. However, despite the gravity of these crimes, he continues to walk free, without any arrest or prosecution.
According to the petition, the case is currently with the Attorney General’s office, and the affected communities await decisive action.
The Aowin Traditional Council, therefore, calls for peace, justice, and a return to lawful leadership, stressing that swift and impartial action by the appropriate authorities will ensure order and dignity are restored.
Full petition below
PRESS CONFERENCE STATEMENT
Theme: Restoring Peace, Law, and Tradition in Aowin
Date: 23rd May 2025
Venue: School of Journalism (Ghana International press centre)
Speaker: Representative of the Aowin Traditional Council / Concerned Citizens of Aowin
Introduction
Members of the Press, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are gathered here today to share an earnest appeal to the conscience of the nation and to present the facts surrounding the ongoing crisis in the Aowin Traditional Area. Our traditions are under siege, our peace has been shattered, and our people are enduring a period of fear and disruption. The core of this chaos lies in the unlawful actions and political manipulation surrounding the installation and conduct of Mr. Thomas Antwi-Agyei, who styles himself as Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III.
- Brutality Against Citizens
Numerous citizens have faced violent reprisals for challenging the illegitimate authority of Mr. Antwi-Agyei. One notable case involves Mr. Koomson, who was severely beaten by vigilantes acting on Mr. Antwi-Agyei’s orders, leading to the incarceration of his attackers (Annex A1). Another case is that of Nana Apena III, a respected chief of Sewum, who was assaulted by the same group. The attack was captured by Angel TV and broadcasted nationally (Annex A2). These acts have instilled fear in the population and signify a gross abuse of power.
- Creation of Vigilante Militias
Mr. Antwi-Agyei has formed unauthorized and armed vigilante groups to enforce his rule. These groups have intimidated residents, extorted funds from small-scale miners, and confiscated equipment, which they store at the palace (Annex B1). The activities of these groups violate civil rights, disrupt economic activities, and undermine lawful security structures. Disturbingly, Mr. Antwi-Agyei himself is actively involved in illegal mining operations, commonly known as galamsey. He has granted unauthorized access to protected forest lands, enabling extensive environmental degradation. In return, he receives compensation in the form of cash, material goods, and even vehicles from these galamsey operators. This blatant abuse of authority and collusion with illegal miners poses a grave threat to both ecological sustainability and community welfare.
- Looting the Traditional Council Office
In a direct affront to institutional authority, Mr. Antwi-Agyei and his associates forcibly entered the Aowin Traditional Council office, removing official documents, furniture, and records, which were later relocated to his self-declared “Office of the Paramountcy” (Annex D1, D2). This illegal occupation aims to replace the lawful traditional structure with a sham administration.
- Diversion of Community Funds
Without any mandate, Mr. Antwi-Agyei opened an unauthorized ADB bank account in the name of the Traditional Council (Annex C1). Stool land revenues and community allocations, including funds from Samatex Company Ltd., have been diverted into this account for his personal use and to finance unlawful operations (Annex C2). Furthermore, despite thorough investigations into these financial irregularities, and after being put before court, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Shockingly, under mysterious circumstances, this bench warrant was later reversed. We have since been informed that the case is now to be re-listed in court by the Attorney General. This reversal defies logic and raises serious questions about the integrity and independence of our legal process. It is, frankly, unfathomable.
- Installation of Rival Chiefs
To solidify his influence and undermine the authority of legitimate traditional leadership, Mr. Antwi-Agyei has deliberately and illegally installed rival chiefs in towns that already have gazetted and recognized leaders. This includes:
- The imposition of Nana Ebbah Duncan in Boinso, despite the legitimate enstoolment of Nana Kajabile II;
- The installation of Oloo in Adum, despite the presence of the gazetted Nana Banin Kajo II;
- And the appointment of Bullu Tano II in Amonie, in opposition to the sitting Nana Adade II (Annex E1, E2).
These parallel installations have not only created confusion but have also sparked deep-seated divisions within the affected communities. In many cases, the rival chiefs have been used as proxies to exert Mr. Antwi-Agyei’s influence over lands, resources, and public discourse. Court proceedings have been initiated in several of these cases, yet the presence of these unrecognized figures continues to destabilize the local governance structure, impeding the work of the legitimate Traditional Council and exacerbating tensions among residents.
- Illegal Curfews
Mr. Antwi-Agyei has imposed curfews in the Aowin Traditional Area without consulting local authorities or security services. These curfews, enforced by his vigilantes, disrupt daily life, impede economic activity, and are deeply untraditional (Annex F1, F2).
- Public Cursing of Leaders
In public ceremonies, Mr. Antwi-Agyei slaughtered sheep to curse prominent national and regional leaders, including DCOP Quianoo, Jojo Rockson, and MP Oscar Ofori Larbi (Annex G1). These symbolic acts, broadcast on local media, undermine national unity and reflect deep disrespect for governance and tradition. Alarmingly, these rituals of cursing are conducted approximately every two weeks, targeting not only these high-ranking officials but also a growing list of his perceived enemies, including chiefs, elders, and private citizens who have openly challenged or questioned his authority.
- Disruption of Peace and Development Meetings
Development efforts have repeatedly been obstructed by Mr. Antwi-Agyei and his cohort. On April 14, 2022, during a stakeholders meeting involving Colandef and the MasterCard Foundation, chaos erupted due to their interference (Annex H1). A similar disruption occurred at a Traditional Council meeting, requiring youth intervention to maintain order (Annex H2).
- Murders and Atrocities
Under Mr. Antwi-Agyei’s leadership, four individuals were murdered in incidents linked to his vigilantes. Eyewitness accounts and community reports indicate that Mr. Antwi-Agyei was personally present at the scene and issued the instructions that led to these heinous killings. Despite the gravity of these crimes, he has not yet been prosecuted. These are the gravest violations recorded in recent Aowin history. The matter is with the Attorney General, yet justice remains delayed (Annex J1, J3). These murders have traumatized the community and exposed the extreme danger of political interference in chieftaincy.
- Political Forgery and Corruption
Despite not being shortlisted by the kingmakers, Mr. Antwi-Agyei was gazetted as Omanhene through forged CD Forms 1A and 1B, with the backing of Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II (Annex I1, I2, I3). This deceitful act corrupts the integrity of the chieftaincy institution and erodes public trust.
Call to Action
We hereby submit the following demands to the Government of Ghana, the National House of Chiefs, the Judicial Service, and all relevant authorities:
- Immediate de-gazetting of Mr. Thomas Antwi-Agyei as Omanhene of Aowin.
- Prosecution of all crimes and violations reported in this petition.
- Restoration of lawful leadership as determined by the legitimate kingmakers.
- Disbandment of vigilante groups formed under his leadership.
- Judicial review and annulment of all unlawful acts executed in his name.
Annexes
To aid transparency and facilitate verification, the following annexes are attached to this statement:
Annex A1 – Medical report and photo of Mr. Koomson after vigilante
Click here to Access Annex A1 files
Annex A2 – Angel TV footage capturing the assault on Nana Apena III
Click here to get Annex A2 video
Annex C1 – ADB bank statement showing unauthorized financial activity
Click here to get Annex C1 file
Annex D1 – showing forced entry into the Traditional Council
Click here to get Annex D1 file
Annex E1 – Legal documents disputing rival enstoolments (Boinso, Adum, Amonie)
Click here to get Annex E1 file
Annex G1 – Photos and media evidence of cursing rituals and sheep slaughter
Click here to get Annex G1 files
Annex I1 – Kingmakers’ report omitting Mr. Antwi-Agyei’s name
Click here to get Annex l1 files
Annex J1 – Attorney General’s file on the four murder cases
Click here to get Annex J1 files
Conclusion
The Aowin Traditional Area calls for peace, justice, and a return to lawful leadership. We believe that with swift and impartial action by our institutions, order and dignity will be restored. We thank you for your time and solidarity in this critical moment in our history.
May God bless our homeland Ghana and make us strong.
