Two Suspects Arrested Over Alleged Assassination Plot Against Akyem Kwabeng Chief and Queen Mother

Two Suspects Arrested Over Alleged Plot to Assassinate Akyem Kwabeng Chief and Queen Mother

Two individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Two individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Daasebre Ayimadu Kantamanto II, the Chief of Akyem Kwabeng and Gyasehene of the Akyem Abuakwa State, and a woman believed to be the newly installed Queen Mother of Akyem Kwabeng.

The arrests were made by the Eastern South Regional Police Command following intelligence received on October 11. According to police sources, the plan was reportedly designed to disrupt preparations for the Chief’s maiden Royal Durbar, scheduled to take place on October 17 in Akyem Kwabeng.

The suspects, currently in police custody, are said to have made financial offers to individuals they believed to be contract killers, who were in fact undercover officers. A covert operation by the Police Intelligence Directorate led to the arrest of both suspects before the plot could be carried out.

The main suspect has been identified as 47-year-old Emelia Akua Asor. She allegedly offered GH₵50,000 to the undercover operatives to execute the assassination of the Chief and Queen Mother. Investigators say Emelia was the one who initiated the plot and provided instructions to a second suspect to help carry out the plan.

The second suspect, 48-year-old Butuakwa Seth, reportedly worked closely with Emelia to facilitate the intended attack. Police reports indicate that Seth personally escorted the supposed hitmen to Akyem Kwabeng, showed them the residences of the Chief and Queen Mother, and provided a photograph of the Chief to aid in the identification and targeting.

Further investigations revealed that the suspects promised an additional GH₵50,000 after the killings had been successfully carried out.

The attempted targeting of a high-ranking traditional leader and his Queen Mother is a serious threat to Ghana’s cultural and governance systems. Chieftaincy in Ghana remains a powerful institution with deep-rooted historical and administrative relevance, especially in rural and peri-urban communities. The Chief of Akyem Kwabeng holds not only symbolic but also functional authority in the Akyem Abuakwa State.

Assassination plots against chiefs or traditional authorities are rare but carry the potential to destabilize entire communities. This incident sheds light on the urgent need to improve security around traditional leaders and to address growing tensions within certain traditional areas.

This case is not isolated. Ghana has been grappling with a growing number of chieftaincy disputes in recent years. According to a 2023 briefing by the National House of Chiefs, there are currently over 350 unresolved chieftaincy cases across the country. The Eastern Region remains one of the hotspots, often due to succession disputes, boundary conflicts, or rival claims to stools.

In April 2024, a similar situation unfolded in the Volta Region when a chief narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt during a land dispute hearing. In that case, security forces intervened just in time to prevent bloodshed.

The rising trend of violence linked to traditional leadership contests suggests a need for a stronger legal and conflict resolution framework that supports both traditional and state systems.

The Eastern South Regional Police Command has stated that investigations are ongoing and that both suspects are cooperating with law enforcement. No additional suspects have been named at this stage, but police say they are not ruling out the involvement of other individuals.

A police spokesperson told reporters that additional security measures have been put in place in Akyem Kwabeng ahead of the Royal Durbar. The event is expected to attract traditional rulers, political leaders, and citizens from across the region.

“We are taking this matter very seriously. The safety of our traditional leaders is a top priority, and we are working to ensure that the Royal Durbar goes on peacefully,” the spokesperson said.

Residents of Akyem Kwabeng have expressed shock and concern over the incident. Many described the plot as not only criminal but sacrilegious, given the sacred role that chiefs and Queen Mothers play in their communities.

Preparations for the durbar are continuing, with increased police presence and support from local volunteers to maintain security. Traditional authorities have called for calm and urged the community not to allow this incident to overshadow the upcoming ceremony.

The Royal Durbar marks an important cultural occasion in the Akyem traditional calendar, symbolizing leadership, unity, and development. Events like these also play a role in showcasing local heritage and attracting attention to developmental needs within the area.

This foiled assassination attempt brings into focus the need for better security around traditional rulers and stronger institutional collaboration to address the root causes of conflict in Ghana’s chieftaincy system. While the swift intervention by police is commendable, long-term peace and stability in traditional communities will depend on transparency in succession processes, effective dispute resolution, and continued respect for the rule of law.

Ghana’s traditional leadership structures remain a vital part of its social fabric. Protecting them from internal sabotage and external threats is not only a matter of cultural preservation but also of national stability.

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