The President of the Republic of Ghana, The Minister for the Interior, The Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and the Bono Regional Police Command. We are writing to the President, the Minister for the Interior ,the Minister for Chieftaincy, and the Bono Regional Police Command as deeply concerned residents and citizens of Ghana. We wish to highlight the alarming rise in lawlessness, break-ins, vandalism, and the destruction of life and property, alongside the self-imposition of one “Farouk” as a chief in Sampa.
In Ghana, it is a criminal offense for an individual who is not a chief to act asor pretend to be one, or for an unqualified person to perform the functions of a chief. This is stipulated under the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759),which aims to protect the integrity of the institution and ensure public order According to the traditions of Sampa, a chief must be properly nominated, elected, and installed in accordance with customary law and recognized by the National House of Chiefs. Only the legitimate family and the recognized chief have the authority to set dates for the funeral rites of a predecessor-not an outsider or non-royal.
Upon learning of plans by the Dormaahene, Sumahene, and Farouk to stage funeral rites for Nana Kofi Sono Il and Nana Yaagwo Kakala Il, we reported the matter to the Berekum Divisional Police Command. Consequently, D/DSP Isaac Baffour Gyawu (Crime Officer) filed for an injunction at the Berekum Circuit Court. On February 21,2026,the court issued a restraining order prohibiting any individual from conducting a funeral for the deceased royals at Sampa without proper accreditation from the gazetted Paramount Chief of Sampa, Nana Samgba Gyafla II.
Despite this, led by the Dormaahene, the Sumahene, and Farouk, these orders were disrespected. They organized the funeral without any intervention from law enforcement to uphold the court’s ruling. Key Legal Points Regarding This Offense
:·Prohibition of Non-Chiefs: According to Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act,2008 (Act 759),a person commits an offense if they knowingly act or perform the functions of a chief without being properly qualified or installed.
·Definition of a Chief: Under Ghanaian law,a chief must be properly nominated, elected, and installedin accordance with customary law and usage, and recognized by the National House of Chiefs.
*Penalties: Persons found guilty of falsely acting as a chief can be punished upon summary conviction with a fine of up to 200 penalty units, a prison term of up to three months, or both.
*Government Intervention: The Minister responsible for chieftaincy affairs must, in the interest of public order, legally prohibit individuals from purporting to act as chiefs.
Despite numerous complaints filed with the Sampa District and Bono Regional Police, tille to no action has been taken. We recall the President’s words during the submission of the Otumfuo’s mediation report on Bawku: “The Constitution will protect the rightful gazetted chief…and we are going to make sure the law works. “We ask: What has changed in the case of Sampa?
The President’s perceived silence is concerning. We urge the leadership to act boldly. Allowing this situation to fester risks destroying the government’s reputation and leaving a legacy of instability. It is widely perceived by the masses that the government is tacitly supporting the actions of the call for Dormaahene. We have observed instances where the President and Ministers have accorded Farouk the attention of a chief, despite his status as an in poster.
Our Demands to the Government:
1. Accountability for Ministers: Call the Ministers for the Interior, Chieftaincy, and the Bono Region to order. We a reshuffling of these offices, as their perceived bias and use of security services to bully rightful owners is causing regional atrocities.
2. Protection for the Legitimate Chief: Ensure that the gazetted chief, Nana Samgba Gyafla I1,isprovided the necessary protection from hired thugs.
3. Legal Action and Arrests: Arrest those instigating conflict, specifically Farouk for his false claims to the chieftaincy, and his accomplices.
4.Contempt of Court: Execute arrests for contempt against those who performed the funeral in defiance of a direct court order.
5. Restoration of Peace: Direct law enforcement to provide maximum protection to the people of Sampa and the culturally installed chief.
6.Investigation: Conduct a thorough investigation into the perpetrators identified in our complaints and provide a formal response to the community.
Notice of Further Action:
If these requests are not addressed:1.A mega-demonstration will be organized against the government’s involvement in Sampa issues.2. We will petition foreign embassies in Ghana to explain how the Constitution is being undermined by political interference
3. Certain politicians will be barred from Manhyia or booed in public for disrespecting the King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll. The continued inaction by authorities is deeply disturbing. Just last week, armed men from the police and military entered the house of the gazetted Chief ,destroying property and tearing pictures of Otumfuo Osei Tutu Il while allegedly mocking the residents’ Ashanti identity. Children as young as 14 were reportedly beaten while the actual perpetrators walked free.
The impact of this situation is severe: fear, declining property values, loss of personal items, and Ioss of life. We do not wish to resort to lawlessness, as we know the heavy toll conflict takes on a nation, much like the Bawku conflict. We have remained patient out of respect for Otumfuo Osei Tutu Il and Tolee Samgba Gyafla Il, but that patience is wearing thin. We urge the Office of the President, the Ministry for the Interior, the Ministry for Chieftaincy, and the IGP to act immediately. We deserve to live in a secure environment and look forward to your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
SIGNED
Secretary: MR. RICHMOND ASANTE