Stool Elders Must Be In Charge When There Is No Chief – Asantehene On Gyamfi Wonoo Affairs
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stated that stool elders have the right to oversee a town in the absence of a chief.
His Majesty made the remarks while annulling the authority of one individual, Osei Tutu, who was allegedly granted authority by the Jamasi Divisional Council under the Asante Mampong Traditional Council to supervise land and any sales within the area.
He was dragged before the Kumasi Traditional Council by Oheneyere Abusuapanin of Sakora Wonoo, who reported that the said individual had sent land guards onto their land and was indiscriminately selling it off.
“He claims Mamponghene has given him authority over the Wonoo land. He has destroyed our farms,” Oheneyere Abusuapanin Opanin said, adding that Apagyahene, Otumfuo Kyeame Bonsu, Otumfuo Nkosuohene and Saamanhene had been petitioned.
3 Letters
In response, Osei Tutu referenced three letters from the Jamasi Divisional Council, Asante Mampong Traditional Council and Manhyia as the source of his authority over Gyamfi Wonoo.
The three letters were read before the Council by the Registrar.
The first letter, written in 2012 by the Jamasi Ankobeahene and addressed to Osei Tutu, who was described as Otumfuo Nkosuohene Akwamuhene, tasked him to supervise activities on Gyamfi Wonoo and sales that had taken place between 1990 and 2012.
The second letter, written in 2013 by the Registrar of the then Asante Mamponghene, acknowledged that Gyamfi Wonoo was under Jamasi but had remained vacant since the death of Nana Osei Yaw.
It added that the Jamasi Division had the authority to appoint anyone to take care of the town.
A third letter by Manhyiahene Nana Brefo Kotoko, addressed to Jamasihene Gyaasehene, acknowledged the authority of Asante Mampong and directed that the content of Mamponghene’s letter be implemented.
Though the letters gave Osei Tutu authority over Gyamfi Wonoo, he had extended his authority into the jurisdiction of Sakora Wonoo to sell lands there.
Untraditional
His Majesty criticised the move as untraditional, noting that stool elders are to take care of a town in the absence of a chief.
“Where were the elders of Gyamfi Wonoo when Jamasi elders gave authority to Osei Tutu? Even if there are no chiefs, it has elders. Jamasi cannot give you such authority per Asante traditions.”
Otumfuo directed the requisite authorities to invite Asante Mamponghene alongside the royals of Gyamfi Wonoo to a KTC meeting on August 17, 2026, to explain the veracity of the move.
Annulment
Meanwhile, Otumfuo annulled the authority of Osei Tutu, warning him to desist from further sale of lands in both Sakora Wonoo and Gyamfi Wonoo.
“If you have sold any land, let Mamponghene know before you come here together with him on Monday.”
Otumfuo also annulled his position as Nkosuohene Akwamuhene.
Reacting to another case relating to Osei Tutu, in which he had invoked the Great Oath to claim that Nana Kwaku Duah II, Tewobaabihene, had not sworn allegiance to the Asantehene, Otumfuo condemned the action.
His Majesty noted that Tewobaabihene swore allegiance to his predecessor, recalling that at the time, Osei Tutu was his umbrella bearer.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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