Manhyia Palace Declares Strict No-Fly Zone

Manhyia Palace has declared its premises and surrounding areas a strict no-fly zone for drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles, with immediate effect. The directive was contained in a notice posted on the Manhyia Palace’s Facebook page on Saturday, August 15, 2026, warning operators that no aerial operations would be permitted without prior and explicit authorization from the Palace or the relevant authorities.

The notice applies to all drones and unmanned aerial vehicles operating over the palace and its surrounding areas, signalling tighter controls over aerial activity within the vicinity of the seat of the Asantehene. According to the Palace, any person or organisations seeking to operate a drone within the designated area must first obtain explicit permission from the appropriate authority. “Effective immediately, the Manhyia Palace and its surrounding areas are designated as a strict no-fly zone for all drones and unmanned aerial vehicles,” the notice stated.

It added that “no aerial operations will be permitted without prior, explicit authorization from the Palace or the relevant authorities.” The Palace further cautioned that unauthorized drone flights would attract sanctions, including the confiscation of the equipment used. “Any unauthorized flights will result in the confiscation of equipment and may lead to legal action,” it warned.

The directive places responsibility on drone operators to establish whether they have the necessary clearance before flying within or around the restricted area. It also makes clear that the absence of prior authorization could expose operators to enforcement action. The move is particularly significant given the status of Manhyia Palace as the seat of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and a major traditional and cultural institution in Kumasi and the Ashanti Region.

The restriction also means drone operators, including media organisations, content creators and other users of unmanned aerial technology, cannot assume that flights undertaken for photography, videography or other purposes are permitted merely because the activity is being conducted from outside the Palace grounds. The notice, however, does not specify the geographical boundaries of the surrounding area covered by the restriction, nor does it identify the particular authorities responsible for granting approvals. It also does not state whether existing permits or previously issued authorisations remain valid under the directive.

The Palace’s warning comes against the backdrop of previous restrictions on drone operations around royal events and sensitive areas. In September 2025, media guidelines issued in connection with the funeral of the late Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III also contained specific restrictions on drone use around the Palace and required accreditation for permitted drone operations. The latest notice is broader in wording, however, expressly describing the Palace and its surrounding areas as a strict no-fly zone and requiring prior, explicit authorization before any aerial operation can take place.

Drone operators are therefore expected to comply with the directive to avoid the seizure of their equipment and possible legal consequences. The Palace has not, in the notice, indicated an end date for the restriction, making the directive effective until further notice.

By: Joyce Owusu