Otumfuo Annuls Baworo Obaapanin, Other Sub-Stools
The Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has officially annulled all sub-stools created under the tenure of Nana Sarfo Agyemang, the Baworohene, including the Obaapanin and Gyaasehene stools.
The decisive ruling, delivered on August 10, 2026, forms part of a major customary judgment aimed at restructuring the governance of the Baworo traditional area and resolving a long-standing chieftaincy dispute.
Addressing the Kumasi Traditional Council, the Asantehene explained that the creation of secondary stools by the Baworohene threatened the traditional hierarchy and created artificial divisions within the royal family.
Otumfuo specifically cited the creation of the Obaapanin stool during the tenure of the former Oheneyere, recalling that although he had initially allowed the arrangement to stand after seeking her confirmation, he had anticipated the administrative friction it would eventually bring to the stool.
“When the Obaapanin stool was created during the era of the former Oheneyere, at the time, I sent to ask her if she approved it and she gave an affirmative answer, so I left the issue,” Otumfuo stated. “But I discerned it would create an issue in future, and here it comes.”
In addition to stripping away the unauthorised sub-stools, Otumfuo invalidated the dual leadership structure claimed by the chief.
The Asantehene ruled that Baworo cannot operate with two separate family heads, officially dissolving the position of family head established by the Baworohene.
Otumfuo declared that the family head (Abusuapanin) belonging to Oheneyere Poa Kwabi Agyemang remains the sole legitimate Abusuapanin of the entire royal family.
The sweeping annulments follow an arbitration triggered when Nana Sarfo Agyemang dishonestly invoked the Great Oath (Ntamkese) to lay claim to the Baworo stool, asserting a direct blood relation to Oheneyere.
Tracing the historical origins of the stool, Otumfuo noted that they were not related.
However, the Baworohene escaped outright destoolment only by accepting Otumfuo’s strict decree to serve strictly as a conditional caretaker under the complete authority of Oheneyere and her Abusuapanin.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
