Dr Cosmos Yaw Asante remanded for allegedly impersonating Adumasa chief

The Kumawu Circuit Court has remanded Dr. Cosmos Yaw Asante, a 63-year-old lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), for allegedly impersonating the chief of Adumasa. Dr. Asante was arrested by the Ghana Police Service on October 28, 2026, following allegations that he has been performing traditional duties without the requisite qualifications. His actions are cited as a violation of Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759), which prohibits individuals from falsely claiming traditional titles or exercising the authority of a chief without legal standing.The legal action against the academic follows a period of heightened tension and unrest in the Ashanti Region linked to a succession dispute. According to court reports, the vacancy was created by the death of the former Adumasa chief. While Nana Kwabena Yiadom was officially enstooled as the legitimate successor following interventions by the Omanhene, a rival faction allegedly proceeded to enstool Dr. Asante. This parallel installation created significant friction within the community, prompting police intervention to maintain public order and prevent potential violence between supporting factions.Beyond the impersonation of the Adumasahene, reports also indicate that Dr. Asante has been accused of posing as the Mawerehene of Juaben. The prosecution argues that by assuming these roles, he has unlawfully engaged in traditional administration and rites. The Ghana Police Service's decision to effect the arrest was reportedly influenced by the need to quell the growing instability in the area. The lecturer's arrest has gained significant traction on social media, highlighting the sensitivity of chieftaincy matters within the region.Dr. Asante is scheduled to reappear before the Kumawu Circuit Court on November 5, 2026. The court's decision to remand him serves as a temporary measure while further investigations into the chieftaincy dispute and the circumstances of his alleged enstoolment continue. This case underscores the strict enforcement of the Chieftaincy Act, which seeks to preserve the sanctity of traditional institutions and prevent the escalation of communal conflicts arising from disputed leadership claims.