The Bono Regional House of Chiefs has raised concerns over what it describes as an illegitimate process leading to the registration of Nana Samgba Gyafla III into the National Register of Chiefs, deepening tensions surrounding the Sampa chieftaincy dispute.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on October 3, 2025, the House accused the National House of Chiefs of “unilaterally entering the name of Nana Samgba Gyafla III into its register” despite procedural irregularities and unresolved legal matters.

According to the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, it had earlier rejected the chieftaincy declaration forms submitted for the said chief, citing non-compliance with required standards. However, following a High Court order in Kumasi, the House was compelled to receive, process, and forward the forms to the National House of Chiefs.

The statement added that the House’s President and Registrar were later cited for contempt for their initial refusal to comply with the court directive.

“What is more troubling is that, when the said order was eventually complied with, the President and the Registrar of the National House of Chiefs purportedly entered the name of Nana Samgba Gyafla III into the register unilaterally,” the statement noted.

The Bono Regional House of Chiefs has expressed dismay over the development, suggesting that the decision to register the name without broader consultation has contributed to renewed tensions in Sampa.

The House said it remains committed to ensuring that due process is followed in resolving the dispute and maintaining the integrity of the chieftaincy institution.

In 2024, the Sofoase Yefere Royal Family of Wenchi, connected to the Busia family, submitted a judicial review request to the High Court in Sunyani.

This application, filed on July 25, 2024, seeks a Mandamus order to compel the Judicial Committee of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs to assemble a panel to address a longstanding chieftaincy dispute.

The original petition, lodged on July 24, 2019, challenges the selection of Mr. Abrefa Damoah as Wenchihene, arguing that it violates the constitution and the Chieftaincy Act, 2009 (Act 759).

Initially, the Bono Regional House of Chiefs issued an injunction preventing Damoah from assuming the role of Wenchihene.

However, this injunction was later overturned by the National House of Chiefs, which instructed the Bono Regional House of Chiefs to swiftly address the underlying case.

Despite this directive, the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, under the leadership of Dormahene Nana Agyeman Badu II, has yet to form a panel to hear the matter.

This delay has led the Sofoase Yefere Royal Family to pursue legal action. The High Court in Sunyani has scheduled the next hearing for October 4, 2024.

The application was filed by Dr. Obeng Gyan Busia, the head of the Sofoase Yefere Royal Family, through his lawyer, Kwabena Asare Atuah of Asamoah-Cheremeh Chambers.

In the same year, President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Oseadeyo Agyemang Badu II, gave the government a one-month deadline to put an end to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, throughout the country.

In a stern warning, Oseadeyo Agyemang Badu II indicated that if the government fails to take action within the specified time frame, the chiefs will be compelled to take matters into their own hands and reclaim their lands from the encroaching illegal mining activities.

This ultimatum was delivered during a courtesy visit by John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who was touring the region as part of his campaign.

“We’re giving this incumbent government one month to use legal means to stop people involved in this Galamsey. The government should deploy police and soldiers into the forests to stop them.

“If the government fails to do this, the land is ours, we will just reclaim it and we won’t allow any sort of mining to take place,” he said.

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) on the other hand has demanded an immediate prohibition on gold prospecting in rivers, forests, and other vulnerable areas.

In a statement released on September 9, 2024, and endorsed by nine UTAG presidents, the association called for a complete ban on illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

Similarly, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has issued a critical assessment of the illegal mining situation, asserting that the crisis is worsening.

The GBA criticized the government's lack of effective action and condemned the politicization of the issue, labeling it as irresponsible, shocking, and regrettable.