Asantehene Orders Bantamahene to Exhume Body of Dikro Buried at Mehame

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has directed Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, the Bantamahene, to exhume the body of a Dikrohene he buried at Mehame.

Mehame is one of three communities under the jurisdiction of the Trabuomhene, which the Bantamahene is claiming.

The three communities are subject to a Great Oath that was invoked over them due to a land dispute, and the matter is currently before a committee.

While referring the case to a committee some time ago, Otumfuo charged the feuding factions to suspend all enstoolments and activities in those areas.

However, at a Kumasi Traditional Council meeting on August 3, 2026, the Committee reported that a Dikrohene enstooled by the Bantamahene was buried over the weekend on the land in defiance of the pending oath.

In his ruling, Otumfuo directed the Bantamahene to oversee the exhumation of the buried Dikrohene with the assistance of the relevant environmental officers.

“You have intentionally buried him there to advance your litigation. Since you failed to honour the Great Oath, go back and exhume the body and send it to a different place for burial. I will not sit here for you to continue to defy the Great Oath,” he said.

The Asantehene stated that Mehame belongs to the Trabuomhene, and noted that the Bantamahene has no right to bypass him to undertake any activity on the land.

“Trabuom used to be your Dikrohene but no more. He has been elevated to my Brempong. He no longer serves you, and so you cannot bypass him to do anything on the land,” he added.

His Majesty further stated that notwithstanding, the Trabuomhene may owe the Bantamahene some royalties, subject to an agreement.

Setting the record straight, Otumfuo noted that once land is taken from one chief and allotted to another, the former ceases to exercise control over it. However, by arrangement, there may be some royalties due from the latter.

“If a portion of your land is allotted to another chief, you cannot later bypass that chief and sell part of it on the grounds that it was yours. No, that is not in line with Asante tradition. I am observing this trend in some areas. Once you cede it to another, you cease to own it. However, you may be entitled to proceeds from the sale by arrangement and agreement.”

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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