Don’t Intimidate Others With This Authority; Otumfuo to Appiadu-Kokoben Chief

The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has counselled Nana Kofi Kodua, the new chief of Appiadu-Kokoben, against intimidating his subjects and instilling fear with his authority.

Otumfuo observes that many chiefs are guilty of this offence and do not have good testimonies with their subjects.

He said this as the new traditional ruler humbly stood before him to take the oath of allegiance after being introduced by the Ankobia Division to the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) on April 8, 2024.

Receiving the advice of the various Divisions, Nana Kofi Kodua, was among other things charged to keep and honour the Great Oath as sacred. He was as well discouraged from using his position to amass wealth.

However, His Majesty in his wisdom deemed it crucial to buttress on the need to effectively utilize his authority over his subjects.

“I hand the town to you. Take good care of it. I know you are endowed and so you know what to do but one thing you must know is that I hate arrogance and cheating. Don’t try to intimidate your subjects with this authority I have given you. Be humble to the people even though some carry the traits of scorpions and snakes.”

Otumfuo observes that the authority reposed in most traditional rulers is being misused by the same and wants the story in Appiadu-Kokoben told differently.

“Many of the traditional rulers who are seated here with the same humility you stand here with, have made for themselves bad names in their jurisdiction as a result of their imposing authority. If we are to open the opportunity for people to testify about their chiefs, you will hear the bad testimonies that will come.”

Holding onto the sword, Nana Kofi Kodua vowed to continue the good work of his predecessor.