A civic pressure group, APEX Citizens of Ghana, has raised alarm over what it describes as growing cultural encroachment and potential threats to Ghana’s traditional governance system, calling on the National House of Chiefs to intervene in the activities of HRM Dr. Chuckwudu Jude Ihenetu—who identifies as the “Diaspora King of Ndigbo in Ghana.”
Presenting their petition in Kumasi on Thursday, the group appealed to the nation’s traditional leadership to assert its authority in safeguarding Ghana’s cultural sovereignty. They argue that the expanding influence of HRM Ihenetu, a Nigerian national, could undermine Ghana’s recognized chieftaincy institutions and national cohesion if not addressed.
Speaking to journalists, APEX President Gabriel Kwame Appiah voiced strong concerns about the “creation of a parallel traditional leadership structure” by a non-Ghanaian. He claimed that the self-styled Igbo King has enstooled several sub-chiefs across the country and is spearheading plans to construct a large-scale “Igbo Village” in Ghana—complete with a palace, town hall, guest house, and streets named after Nigerian historical figures.
“This goes beyond cultural celebration—it suggests a long-term plan to establish an autonomous enclave, which poses a threat to Ghana’s identity and unity,” Appiah stated.
He alleged that HRM Ihenetu had acquired 50 acres of land along the Aflao road in the Ningo area for the proposed development. According to him, the project includes a 2,000-capacity town hall and a 100-room guest house, raising red flags over potential state-within-a-state implications.
The group further questioned the legitimacy of HRM Ihenetu’s royal status, noting that his name is not in the National Register of Chiefs and suggesting that his title may be merely ceremonial. “Only individuals with appropriate lineage, properly enstooled, and gazetted by Ghanaian authorities are recognized under our customary laws,” Appiah noted.
APEX Citizens is also calling for a halt to the annual Yam Festival organized by the Igbo King in Ghana, describing it as a magnet for mass migration and a cultural takeover. “He is positioning himself as a symbol for the Igbo diaspora in West Africa—bringing in more people and potentially eroding Ghana’s cultural fabric,” the group claimed.
The petition has intensified debate over how far diaspora communities should be allowed to organize around traditional leadership structures in host countries, particularly when such organization intersects with land acquisition, ceremonial authority, and cross-border cultural influence.
The National House of Chiefs has yet to officially respond to the petition, but the case is expected to stir broader conversations about the role of traditional authority in modern multicultural states, and how to balance hospitality with the preservation of national identity.
