The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has refuted media reports suggesting that the Chief of Coaltar, Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II, has been destooled.

According to the Okyenhene, the Coaltar chief has instead been asked to step aside to allow for investigations into allegations of his involvement in the killing of protesters in his area. He is also accused of using certain individuals to terrorize residents, seizing and selling lands occupied by natives of Coaltar without due process.

• Read also: Okyenhene destools Coaltar chief for allegedly using land guards in killing of protesters

In a statement issued by the Akyem Abuakwa State Secretary, Mr. D. M. Ofori-Atta, the Okyenhene directed the Kyebi Regional Police Command to expedite the investigation and ensure a swift trial of the perpetrators. He also called for calm, urging the people of Kraboa and Coaltar to remain law-abiding.

The unrest stems from an incident on Thursday, January 16, 2025, when two people were killed, and several others sustained severe injuries after thugs allegedly accompanying Barima Asiedu Okekrebesi II opened fire on residents of the Kraboa community. The victims were peacefully protesting the unlawful sale and seizure of their lands and the destruction of their crops by sand miners acting under the chief’s orders.

The incident occurred in broad daylight, reportedly in the presence of the Ayensuano District Police. One of the deceased was later found in the palace of the Coaltar Chief, who has since fled the town and is now on the police’s wanted list.

The Okyenhene's intervention prompted the Kyebi Regional Police Command to restore order in the area. This comes on the heels of another reported incident on January 5, 2025, where agents of the Coaltar Chief allegedly stormed the palace of the Odikro of Alema, a farming community in the Ayensuano District, and assaulted its occupants without provocation.