The Acting Registrar of the National House of Chiefs, Collins Agyei, has reportedly been served with a Mandamus process from the Kumasi High Court over allegations of prolonged administrative inaction concerning the chieftaincy status of Kwaku Bonsu, popularly known as Bonsu Ayirepe, who continues to present himself as the Kwahu Pepeasehene and Kwahu Kyidomhene.
The legal action, initiated by the Santase Bretuo Family, follows what the family describes as an unacceptable delay in implementing a decision of the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs, which reportedly ruled unanimously against Bonsu in a long-running chieftaincy dispute.
The dispute, which has lasted for more than a decade, centres on the legitimacy of Kwaku Bonsu’s claim to the stools of Kwahu Pepeasehene and Kwahu Kyidomhene within the Kwahu Traditional Area.
According to the Santase Bretuo Family, the matter was brought before the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs, which eventually delivered a 5–0 decision in its favour.
The family maintains that Bonsu failed to exercise his right of appeal against the ruling, leaving the decision unchallenged.
However, despite the outcome of the adjudication, the family alleges that Bonsu has continued to publicly hold himself out as the legitimate occupant of the two traditional positions, raising fresh concerns over the enforcement of decisions in chieftaincy disputes.
The controversy has also been complicated by contempt proceedings involving Bonsu and other traditional figures.
According to the Santase Bretuo Family, Bonsu was convicted of contempt of court at the Kumasi High Court alongside the Adehyehene, while the Werepenhene, Baamuhene and Gyaasehene were cautioned.
The family further alleges that Bonsu subsequently faced another contempt conviction at the Koforidua High Court earlier this year, following the earlier proceedings in Kumasi.
These developments have intensified the dispute, particularly over allegations that Bonsu has continued to use the chieftaincy title despite the decisions and court proceedings surrounding his claim.
The latest development has shifted attention to the administrative responsibilities of the National House of Chiefs, particularly the implementation of its own decisions.
The Santase Bretuo Family claims that at a general meeting earlier this year, the National House of Chiefs issued a directive for the necessary administrative steps to be taken to communicate to Kwaku Bonsu the decision concerning the deletion of his name from the National Register of Chiefs.
The directive, according to the family, followed the earlier unanimous 5–0 ruling of the Judicial Committee.
However, the family alleges that approximately four months after the directive, the Acting Registrar, Collins Agyei, has failed to take the necessary steps to give effect to the resolution.
The alleged delay has triggered questions about administrative accountability and whether decisions taken by the National House of Chiefs are being implemented in accordance with the institution’s established procedures.
The family is now demanding answers over what could be preventing the Acting Registrar from carrying out the directive of the institution whose administrative affairs he has been entrusted to manage.
It remains unclear whether the alleged delay is attributable to legal considerations, administrative challenges or other institutional factors.
Frustrated by what it describes as the Acting Registrar’s failure to respond to its concerns, the Santase Bretuo Family, through its legal representatives, reportedly petitioned the Registrar for clarification on the status of Bonsu’s name in the National Register of Chiefs.
The family also sought information on whether the National House of Chiefs had taken the necessary steps to implement its earlier directive.
However, the family maintains that its request did not receive the necessary response, prompting it to pursue legal action.
The development has culminated in the reported service of a Mandamus process on the Acting Registrar at the Kumasi High Court..
Meanwhile, attempts to speak to the Registrar on this development issues proved futile at press time.
