Tension in New Juaben as Police Forcefully Enter Royal Stool Room, Detain Family Members

Tension has erupted in the New Juaben traditional area as a group, reportedly led by the New Juaben divisional police commander, forcibly entered the Adwampong royal family’s stool room in Koforidua. The clash unfolded when the queen mother resisted the unauthorized removal of the crucial black stool, a pivotal element for the upcoming enstoolment ceremony of a new Chief scheduled for Thursday, February 1, at the Yiadom Hwedie Palace.

Queen mother Nana Akosua Afrakoma, who has overseen the stool for 29 years, expressed her resistance, stating that the prospective Chief slated for enstoolment that evening is unknown and hasn’t been nominated by her. The situation escalated as the group, led by Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Baah, acting Divisional Commander, and armed personnel from the Counter Terrorism Unit, forcefully entered the stool room and changed the locks.

Nana Afrakoma II, disappointed by the district police’s conduct, called upon the Regional Security Council and the National Security Minister to intervene and prevent potential violence. She revealed that she received information that the stool was attempted to be taken on the previous day but was resisted. Following the forceful entry by the police, Nana Afrakoma II claimed she had been unlawfully destooled and no longer goes to the palace.

The son and daughter of the Queen mother, who were invited by Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Baah to file a formal complaint, found themselves detained upon reaching the Koforidua Central police station. The developments have raised concerns about the legal and ethical aspects surrounding the enstoolment process and the involvement of law enforcement in traditional affairs.