The Paramount Queen Mother of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area in the Eastern Region, Nana Akua Asantewaa III, has strongly condemned what she describes as unfair and disrespectful treatment meted out to queen mothers by some chiefs within the traditional setup.

Addressing a press conference at her residence in Akyem Oda in the Birim Central Municipality, Nana Akua Asantewaa III expressed deep concern over what she called a growing trend of chiefs overstepping their traditional boundaries by attempting to intimidate and, in some cases, unlawfully remove queen mothers from office.

She reminded the public that, according to Akyem Kotoku tradition, only the paramount queen mother holds the authority to rebuke or destool a queen mother.

She described recent actions by some chiefs as both troubling and contrary to tradition.

"It is disheartening to see certain chiefs going around frustrating some of our hardworking queen mothers, falsely claiming to have destooled them.

I want to make it clear that such powers lie solely with me as the paramount queen mother," she asserted.

In a passionate pledge of support, Nana Akua Asantewaa III vowed to defend all queen mothers under her jurisdiction “with the last drop of her blood” if necessary.

She called on all queen mothers in the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area to remain united and resolute in the face of intimidation.

Citing a specific example, she addressed rumours surrounding the alleged destoolment of the Akyem Asene Queen Mother, dismissing the claims as baseless.

“No such issue has been brought before me. Anyone who hears such pronouncements should treat them as false rumours. The Akyem Asene Queen Mother has not been destooled,” she clarified.

Several queen mothers present at the press conference echoed the paramount queen mother’s sentiments, expressing disappointment over the disrespect and sidelining they endure from some chiefs in their respective communities.

They called for greater unity and solidarity among themselves to resist the ongoing marginalisation and preserve the dignity of their roles.