By:tntnewspaprgh.com

The Concerned Asante Youth ( CAY) have called for the removal of Bono Regional Minister Mr Joseph Addae for allegedly using his role to fuel the conflict in Sampa.

The Group said that as loyal subjects of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, they remain committed to pursuing justice through lawful and peaceful means while safeguarding the dignity and authority of traditional leadership.

Nana Agyenim Boateng (Gyataba) addressing the media

In a statement read by Nana Agyenim Boateng (Gyataba),the president of the group at a press conference held on Monday, 8th June, 2026, at Noks Hotel, Kumasi, they called on all relevant state institutions to recognise and protect duly gazetted chiefs and ensure that their authority is not undermined by individuals acting outside the law.

The full statement read by Nana Agyenim Boateng (Gyataba) is reproduced below:PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE CONCERNED YOUTH OF ASANTE ON UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE IN CHIEFTAINCY MATTERS IN THE COUNTRYL

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media,Good morning, and thank you for responding to our invitation at such short notice.The Concerned Youth of Asante have called this press conference to draw national attention to a disturbing and growing trend of political and administrative interference in chieftaincy matters, particularly by certain government appointees and individuals who wield influence within the political and security architecture of the state.

As citizens who cherish the sanctity of Ghana’s traditional institutions and the rule of law, we believe it is our responsibility to speak out against actions that threaten peace, stability, and the integrity of our cherished chieftaincy system.

It has come to our attention that, in recent times, there have been persistent attempts by some ministers of state, working in concert with elements within the security agencies, to interfere in the established customary and legal processes governing the selection, installation, and recognition of traditional rulers.One such case involves the Sampamanhene, Nana Samgba Gyafla II, who, following due customary procedures and consultations within the traditional area in Ashanti, selected and installed a chief.

The chief subsequently completed all the necessary traditional rites and swore the oath of allegiance before His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and president of the Asanteman Council.Following these lawful processes, the chief was duly gazetted, thereby receiving official recognition from the state as the legitimate occupant of the stool.Regrettably, despite the legal recognition granted to the duly installed and gazetted chief, a rival claimant has emerged to contest the stool without lawful authority or customary legitimacy.

It has recently been reported that these misunderstandings have resulted in the killing of Alfred Kofi Sono and Alhaji Abdulai in broad daylight in Sampa. The two individuals are believed to have been members of the camp of the gazetted Sampamanhene, while the police allegedly remained unconcerned.

A similar situation is occurring in Bawku and other parts of the country.What is even more alarming is the apparent support being extended to this unlawful claim by some government officials and elements within the security agencies.

Such actions undermine the authority of legally constituted institutions and create unnecessary tension within otherwise peaceful communities.

The Concerned Youth of Asante views these developments as a dangerous precedent capable of eroding public confidence in both traditional and state institutions.Our concerns are reinforced by the recent public remarks of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who strongly condemned political interference in chieftaincy disputes.

At a sitting of the Asanteman Council at Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene cautioned government officials, including ministers and security personnel, against disregarding judicial rulings and established customary procedures in chieftaincy matters.Otumfuo reminded public office holders that political power is temporary and urged all stakeholders to respect the rule of law, court decisions, and the customs that govern traditional leadership.

The Concerned Youth of Asante fully endorses the position of the Asantehene and believes his warning should serve as a guide to all public officials.We find it particularly troubling that the actions of some government appointees appear to contradict the publicly stated position of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.

The President has consistently maintained that• Government does not determine who becomes a chief.• Only duly enstooled and gazetted chiefs whose names appear in the National Register of Chiefs are recognised by the State.

Chieftaincy disputes must be resolved through the Judicial Committees of the Houses of Chiefs and, where necessary, the Supreme Court.These principles have guided the handling of major chieftaincy disputes across the country and must be applied fairly and consistently in all cases.

The Concerned Youth of Asante firmly believes that the law must apply equally to all citizens and institutions.Accordingly, we call on the following:

President John Dramani Mahama to intervene decisively and ensure that all ministers, regional ministers, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives, and other government appointees refrain from interfering in chieftaincy matters.

The Ministry of the Interior and all security agencies are to remain neutral and uphold the Constitution, the Chieftaincy Act, and all lawful directives concerning traditional leadership disputes.

Relevant state institutions to recognise and protect duly gazetted chiefs and ensure that their authority is not undermined by individuals acting outside the law.

All stakeholders to respect the authority of the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs and the judicial mechanisms established to resolve chieftaincy disputes.We wish to assure the people of Asanteman and the entire nation that our position is motivated solely by our commitment to peace, justice, and the preservation of our revered traditional institutions.

We have exercised restraint and remained patient because we value peace and respect lawful processes. However, our silence should never be interpreted as acceptance of injustice or disregard for due process.

The Concerned Youth of Asante are calling on the government and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to arrest Randolph Obah, the individual currently parading himself as the rival or recognised chief of Sampa under the stool name Nana Yaw Sammor-Duah II.The group believes that it is against the laws of the land for any person to parade himself as a chief without lawful authority.

The group further argues that during the Bawku conflict, an individual who allegedly paraded himself as a chief was arrested. Consequently, the Concerned Youth of Asante is calling on the appropriate authorities to arrest Nana Yaw Sammor-Duah II for similarly parading himself as a chief. The group contends that failure to do so may create the perception that the government led by President John Dramani Mahama is treating Asantes and Mamprusis unfairly.

The Concerned Youth of Asante are also calling for the removal of the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Addae, for what they describe as his role in fuelling the conflict in Sampa.As loyal subjects of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, we remain committed to pursuing justice through lawful and peaceful means while safeguarding the dignity and authority of traditional leadership.

We therefore urge all government officials, security agencies, and interested parties to respect the law, uphold custom, and allow legitimate institutions to perform their constitutional and traditional mandates without interference.

May peace, justice, and respect for our traditions continue to guide our nation.Thank you.Signed,Nana Agyenim Boateng (Gyataba)PresidentConcerned Youth of AsanteContact: 0244151558.