A wave of relief swept through Akyem Asene on Monday 4th May 2026, after a new chief Nana Dompreh Kwarko Poakwa III swore the oath of allegiance before His Gracious Majesty Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV, King of Akyem Kotoku State
The joyous event closes a chapter on more than a decade of chieftaincy disputes that made the Asene township a flashpoint within the Akyem Kotoku State.
Oseadeeyo charged the young Chief to be courageous and vigilant and visionary in his leadership.
The Akyem Kotoku Overlord further urged him: ” Do not
let your age become a barrier to what you can achieve for the good people of Akyem Asene”.
ROAD TO THE ENSTOOLMENT
In March 2024, Nana Kodua Asiedu II, Abakomahene, and Nana Dwapeneng Asabre Debrah, Tufuhene of Akyem Asene, filed an action against the then Asene chief, Nana Karikari Appau, before the Akyem Kotoku Judicial Committee.
The plaintiffs prayed the committee to grant them the following reliefs:
- Declaration that the customary destoolment of the defendant by Kingmakers and the Royal Agona family of Akyem Asene is valid and constitutional.
- An order that judicial committee of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council to compel the defendant to render accounts of the total amount of 600,000 cedis from Asene Stool concession at Akyem Amenam.
- An order for interlocutory and permanent injunction against the defendant to restrain him from acting or parading himself as chief of Akyem Asene.
- Costs.
When Nana Karikari Appau declined to contest the case, the Committee ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.
Nana Karikari Appau later appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs in November 2025.
The Committee dismissed the application as statute-barred, thus clearing the way for a new chief to be nominated and enstooled.
Background of the new Chief
The new Asene Chief, known in private life as Michael Osei Kwarko was born on 23 June 2000.
He had his basic education at Siaw Children’s Academy in Asene before proceeding to New Abirem Senior High School, where he graduated in 2017.
He later gained admission to the All Nations University in Koforidua and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in 2024.
During his studies, he undertook an industrial attachment with the Electricity Company of Ghana at its Koforidua District Office, gaining practical experience.
Osei Kwarko later completed his National Service at ECG’s Legon Branch, where his dedication and strong work ethic earned him a post-service retention.
Expectations for the new Asene Chief are high.
Asene residents expect him to heal the divisions created by factionalism and initiate a development agenda that will bring prosperity into a town scarred by tension, disaffection and underdevelopment.
