Asanteman Council Ends 2024 Sessions
Asanteman Council convened for their last meeting in the year 2024 on Monday, December 16.
Following its first meeting on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at the Manhyia Palace, the Council presided over by the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II held numerous meetings resolving disputes and taking key decisions throughout.
Addressing the Council at the last meeting, the Monarch reflected on the year.
“This is our last meeting. We are heading into Christmas. The year is ending and I pray God backs all for the rest of the year. We started the year with God and many others but some are no longer with us.”
“We meet here to settle disputes in Asanteman to bring peace after a thorough investigation. Each day, the Great Oath is invoked so this meeting will always stay. Dishonesty will draw the Great Oath.”
His Majesty prayed for strength for all members of the Council to undertake the tasks for the year ahead.
“I pray we cross this year and … next year, we look at all the cases. All chiefs with cases here, in the new year, we will look at them.”
Odwira Festival
A lot of activities have been slated on the Asanteman calendar for next year. Principal among them, the King announced was celebration of the Odwira Festival.
This will be the first time in decades the Kingdom will observe it.
According to the King, the festival set for September will go a long way to revive the spirit of Asanteman against all forces that have risen in recent days against it.
Stool Proceeds
Another issue of importance to Otumfuo is the issue of the allocation of stool proceeds. The Occupant of the Golden Stool intends to work on a review of the allotment of the proceeds.
He recognizes that queens are shortchanged in allocating proceeds from stools, leaving them dejected and neglected.
This, Otumfuo, affirmed, in the long run, creates avenues for queens to find selfish means to secure their interests.
“I’ve observed disagreements between Nananom and Ahemaanom in many jurisdictions. Most queens try to entrench the male stools to their sons due to concerns about their sustenance. This is a major factor in these disagreements. Some queens are also disrespectful.”
In places where the Queen fails at getting her choice enstooled, disagreement is birthed between her and the chief, he observes.
To solve this, he has announced plans to review the allocation of proceeds made from the stool to include queens and secure their welfare and interest.
Outstanding Disputes
Meanwhile, the Monarch intends to clear all outstanding cases in parts of his realm next year.
These areas are battered with chieftaincy conflicts that are pending before the Council. Some of the cases are at Committee levels.
“Some Divisions have vacant stools. We will deal with all that.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
