Chief of Abesim destooled

The Dominase Royal Family of Abesim, near Sunyani in the Bono Region, has destooled Barima Kumi Akyeaw III as Chief of Abesim, following a ruling by the Sunyani High Court.

The decision was announced at a media briefing at Abesim on Sunday by the Head of the royal family, Nana Agyei Saarah, who stated that the chief, known in private life as Kelvin Anane Addo, was improperly nominated, elected, and installed.

According to Nana Agyei Saarah, apart from the irregular installation process, the former chief engaged in several actions that brought the Abesim stool into disrepute.

The Sunyani High Court, presided over by Justice Nathan P. Yarney, delivered the ruling on March 25, 2025.

The court upheld that Barima Kumi Akyeaw III was invalidly en­stooled, citing a breach of custom­ary procedure.

The Court further noted that the nomination process, conducted by the Adehyepanin (Abakomahene), following the death of the Queen mother of Abesim, failed to follow due traditional process.

He emphasised that under Abesim stool custom- which forms part of the Kyidom Division of the Dormaa Traditional Council, the Abakoma­hene assumes the authority to nominate candidates in the absence of a Queen mother.

Three candidates—Christian, Kel­vin, and one Agyekum were report­edly nominated.

However, the court held that since there was a pending petition before the Judicial Committee of the Dormaa Traditional Council against Kelvin Anane Addo, it was inappropriate for the Dormaahene and his Divisional Chiefs to proceed with his nomination and installa­tion.

Justice Yarney ruled that any act, whether described as opinion, advice, or otherwise, that causes grievance to another, may be sub­ject to the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court.

 From Daniel Dzirasah, Abesim