By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
The Ghana Police Service has picked up four suspects believed to be connected to the killing of the destooled Akwamuhene of Tanoso in the Bono East Region, a crime tied to an ongoing chieftaincy dispute.
A statement issued by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo named the suspects as Issifu Addae, also known as Akwasi Addae, Stephen Gyamfi, Augustine Arhinful, and Martha Mansah.
According to the CID, investigators are also searching for four additional persons identified as key individuals in the case.
The police noted that “Our preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was destooled as the Akwamuhene of Tanoso … but he reportedly rejected the decision and engaged the family in multiple litigations and disputes.”
The statement also confirmed that “The four suspects are currently in police custody, assisting investigations. Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to track down the remaining suspects to face the full rigours of the law.”
Background
Reports indicate that the victim, Nana Owusu Korkor, aged between 74 and 76, was fatally shot on his farm at dawn on 10 November 2025. The attack is believed to have been premeditated.
His death left both the local community and the royal family in shock. According to relatives, he had left home for routine farm work but was later discovered lying in a pool of blood with gunshot wounds.
What Police Investigations Have Uncovered So Far
Authorities say Nana Korkor had been removed from his position as Akwamuhene and replaced with Nana Akyeampong Duodu. The CID reports that the deceased refused to accept his destoolment and proceeded to file several court cases challenging the royal family.
Investigators claim they have uncovered allegations that he mismanaged royal property, including the alleged misappropriation of five gold bars and the sale of family land after being destooled.
During tensions over this land, the suspects are said to have gone onto the disputed property, stopped construction work, confiscated a block-moulding machine, and threatened to “teach [the late chief] a lesson.”
Some police sources are also examining a possible link between the killing and the newly installed Akwamuhene, Nana Akyeampong Duodu.
Although he was reportedly in the United States when the murder occurred, investigators believe he may still have played a role in planning the attack.
