Daasebre Osei Bonsu II: The First Asante Mamponghene in 96 Years to Die on the Stool
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II ascended the Silver Stool in August 1996, following the resolution of a long-standing chieftaincy dispute.
He succeeded Nana Atakora Amaniampong, who abdicated the stool during the era of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.
After almost 29 years, he stands as the first Asante Mamponghene in 96 years to die on the stool thanks to the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the current Asantehene.
In the said 91 years, all enstooled traditional authorities were either destooled or forced to abdicate the stool.
According to “An Outline of Asante History Part II” cited by Josephine Sarfo in the “Silver Stool Stabilised”, some of the chiefs reigned for as short as one year.
For instance, the Nana Atakora Kwaku II reigned from 1880 to 1883. He was succeeded by Nana Osei Bonsu I that same year but exited in 1885; Nana Yaw Boakye from 1886 to 1887; and Nana Kwame Apea Osokye from 1888 to 1896.
Throughout the years, Daasebre’s rule was marked by peace and stability within the Mampong Traditional Area.
Daasebre’s demise was publicly announced in late April.
The unforeseen incident struck while Daasebre was acting as caretaker of the Asante Kingdom in the absence of the King, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
He was last seen publicly condemning tribal remarks by some members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the nomination of a Municipal Chief Executive for the Area.
Born Oswald Gyimah-Kessie on December 31, 1939, the late Mamponghene was a lawyer and economist.
He also served with distinction as Registrar of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Daasebre ascended the stool in 1996, bringing his expertise to his royal duties.
Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
