Eastern Regional Minister rejects claim she approved Kwahu Queen Mother’s arrest

Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey has rejected claims that she authorised the arrest of the Kwahu Queen Mother, Nana Adwoa Gyemtua III, describing the allegation as entirely false.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the Minister said reports circulated by Agoo 96.9 FM, claiming she admitted to sanctioning the arrest, were a “misrepresentation of facts” and an accusation “grounded in falsehood.”

The radio station had published a story and accompanying video in which a chief identified as Nana Nilm Sarpong, Abene Bamuhene, suggested the Minister had confirmed authorising the Queen Mother’s arrest.

According to the Minister, the narrative presented in the broadcast contradicted the actual sequence of events. She explained that on December 1, 2025, a delegation of Kwahu chiefs visited the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council to brief her on matters arising from the Queen Mother’s arrest and to follow up on a referral reportedly made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), C.O.P. Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

During the visit, the chiefs informed her that the IGP had apologised, acknowledging that the arrest had been carried out by police personnel and confirming that an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved had been initiated.

The Minister said she also apologised to the chiefs, but only in her capacity as Regional Minister and head of the Regional Security Council, not because she ordered the arrest.

“Never in my submissions did I categorically say that I ordered the arrest of the Obahemaa,” she stated, stressing that her position was consistent throughout the engagement.

She added, “I take responsibility not because I sanctioned it, but because I am in charge of those who were supposed to have acted better.”

She noted that her acceptance of responsibility mirrored what the chiefs said was the IGP’s position, emphasising that both her apology and the IGP’s were grounded in leadership accountability rather than culpability.

The minister said the attempt to twist this into an admission of wrongdoing was unacceptable and damaging.

While expressing disappointment over what she described as an “unfortunate distortion of facts,” she cautioned the public against accepting misleading commentary designed to malign her and the Regional Security Council.

“We do not associate with any of the disputing parties,” she stressed, urging residents to disregard narratives aimed at creating distrust.

The Minister reaffirmed her commitment to supporting efforts to resolve the underlying dispute and to ensuring peace and stability across the Eastern Region.

She assured stakeholders that the Regional Security Council remains focused on impartiality, security coordination, and sustained engagement with traditional authorities.

This comes after armed men stormed the Abene palace and the Queen Mother vanished during a dawn raid on Monday.

The Paramount Chief, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, confirmed that gunfire erupted around 4:30 a.m. as heavily armed men forced their way into the palace where Nana Adwoa Gyamfua III resides.

He said the attackers claimed to be security personnel, yet their identities and mandate remain uncertain, creating deep suspicion among residents and palace elders.

Several people were taken from the palace during the operation, and the queen mother was later discovered missing.

The chief explained that he contacted the Kwahu Police Commander immediately after the raid.

According to him, the commander denied authorizing any operation and insisted he did not know the men involved.