Asantehene Annuls Destoolment of Paramount Queen of Kenyase No. 2

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has annulled the destoolment of the Paramount Queenof Kenyase No. 2, Nana Akua Tinkwamaa.

It follows the hearing of the charges levelled against her by the now-destooled Paramount Chief, Nana Kwabena Asare Ababio, contained in a letter to the Registrar of the Asanteman Council announcing the destoolment of the Queen, Nana Akua Tikwamaa, for alleged gross insubordination.

His 10-point charges accused the queen of indiscriminate land sales, unauthorised issuance of letters on traditional council letterhead, destoolment of the Nsafoahene and Adontenghene, and resale of land already sold.

Other charges included unauthorised appointment of sub-queens, disregard of duties, disrespect towards paramount chiefs and kingmakers, and the deployment of land guards.

Responding to the claims, Nana Akua dismissed all the charges.

“My son never called me before the family head to lay these accusations. He just slaughtered a ram and went about radio stations announcing my destoolment,” she said.

She denied selling lands, explaining that a piece of land she sold was at the instance of the chief.

She further accused the Atipimhene, Akwamuhene, Apesimakohene, the wife of the chief, and the Town Planning Officer of the Council of forging documents and indiscriminately selling land.

With regard to the destoolment of the Adontenghene and Nsafoahene, she said: “The two are still at post and frequent the Palace always. How is that possible if I indeed destooled them?”

She also denied the use of land guards.

Nana Akua further accused the Paramount Chief of violating Asante tradition in the creation of stools, including Akyempimhene, Hyiawuhene, Sumankwaahene, Anantahene, and Atipimhene.

“Some of these chiefs have been using regalia which are not part of their stools. Some kingmakers sit in palanquins as well as sub-queens. I opposed these to no avail,” she stated.

She also accused him of allotting stools to his sons and sisters in contravention of tradition.

She alleged that the spouse of the chief had taken over control as queen, dictating to the Council and making key decisions.

Nana Akua further accused the chief of depriving her of all financial benefits due her and of orchestrating threats to her life, which she said had made it impossible for her to go to the traditional area.

She also cited gross disrespect she endures at the hands of kingmakers, sub-chiefs, and the royal family.

The Council, presided over by the Asantehene, found no merit in the accusations against the Queen.

However, that of the Queen against the chief was found to be substantive, warranting his destoolment.

In destooling him, Otumfuo criticised the chief for what he described as a series of untraditional conduct.

“I warned you several times. Now look at the outcome. You created Hyiawohene in your area. What right do you have to do that? You were a courtier at Hyiawohemaa’s house, so how can you create that position? Through your service, Kenyase No. 2 was created, and you were made the chief. The land you occupy belongs to Kenyasehene,” he said.

“You introduced her to me as your mother, and I charged you to take care of her. You have ruined your entire family. Not one wise person has come from the family now. I know all your ploys. All along, I counselled you about the ill acts, but violating Asante traditions cannot be spared. Your reign ends now.”

Immediately after, the footwear of the chief was removed in accordance with tradition, while designated persons were instructed to perform the required ram slaughter to seal the destoolment.

The Paramount Chief was destooled alongside nearly all his kingmakers who were found to have violated their oath of office.

However, the Asantehene spared the Kontihene and reinstated the destooled Akyeame and other linguists within the traditional council.

“There is no other kingmaker in the town now. You [remaining kingmakers] will help the queen to steer the affairs of the area,” they were told.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/