Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III
Chiefs and elders of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area have called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu, to intervene in what they describe as a growing chieftaincy and security crisis in the area and facilitate the return of their gazetted Omanhene, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, from “security self-exile” abroad.
Addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday, Nana Enu Kpanyinli Annor Amihere, Chief Adviser and representative of Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, accused state authorities of protecting a rival chief claimant while the recognised Omanhene remained outside the country over alleged threats to his life.
Present at the press conference were Nana Kwamena Bentum II, Chief of Salma; Nana Nwia Etease VI, Chief of Baku; the Obaahenmaa of Baku; and Nana Obo Atta Kukuamoa IV, Chief of Amanful-Takoradi and Kontihene of Ahanta, who joined the call for government intervention.
According to Nana Annor Amihere, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III remains the legally recognised and gazetted Omanhene of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, having been gazetted on March 23, 2011, while Mr. Berenger Aka Flanton, whom he described as a rival claimant, had no gazetted status and was currently under an injunction issued by the Judicial Committee of the Western Regional House of Chiefs.
Nana Annor Amihere cited a statement made by President Mahama in Bawku on December 16, 2025, where the President stressed the need to recognise only gazetted chiefs and uphold the law in resolving chieftaincy disputes.
He argued that while the government acted decisively in Bawku to restore peace, a different standard was being applied in Eastern Nzema.
“The victim is in exile. The suspect is in the Palace. The police guard the suspect,” he declared.
The chiefs alleged that associates of Mr. Berenger Aka Flanton attempted to assassinate Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III at the Atuabo Royal Palace, describing the palace as a “crime scene.”
They further claimed that cases involving the alleged illegal installation of Mr. Flanton and related attacks were discontinued by the state “for want of prosecution.”
According to the chiefs, despite the injunction and unresolved disputes, the Western Regional Minister had directed the Ghana Police Service to provide 24-hour security protection for Mr. Flanton at the Atuabo Royal Palace.
The chiefs also accused the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, who doubles as Member of Parliament for Ellembele, Emmanuel Aarmah Kofi-Bua, of sending conflicting signals by recognising Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III in the presence of the President, while allegedly acknowledging Mr. Flanton as Omanhene during other public events.
They demanded the immediate eviction of Mr. Berenger Aka Flanton from the Atuabo Royal Palace, withdrawal of police protection from him, and reopening of investigations into the alleged assassination attempt on Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III.
The chiefs warned that the state’s handling of the matter could destabilise the area if urgent action was not taken.
“Ghana cannot afford another Bawku. The law is the law in Bawku and in Nzema,” Nana Annor Amihere stated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu