Don’t Believe Anyone Who Tells You I’ve Chosen Next Chief; Asantehene to Kwamang Royals
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has given his assurance to the royal households of the Kwamang Traditional Council that they will have the freedom to choose their preferred candidate for the vacant male stool without any interference.
He has therefore urged the parties in the ongoing dispute to reject any claim that may suggest that he has made a choice for them.
At the Asanteman Council meeting on March 17, 2025, Otumfuo stated that he would delve into the history of the stool to ascertain the precise number of royal households around it but wouldn’t interfere in the selection of a candidate afterwards.
“Don’t be misled by anyone who comes to tell you I have appointed someone to ascend the stool. That will be a lie. All I know is your history, not affairs of who takes over. I am privy to some of these incidents that’s why I am issuing a disclaimer. You will be solely responsible for choosing who ascends the stool.”
Otumfuo also discouraged any of the parties from paying inducements to have their way in the ongoing resolution as he emphasized that such plots would not materialise.
“Don’t be deceived by anyone who demands money to help you get a ruling in your favour.”
Dispute
The female leaders of the Royal Households plus the Family head are to choose a candidate to be enstooled.
The outstanding dispute now is between the Family Head, Opanin Mensah Bonsu and the Bronum Royal Household and came about after processes to elect a candidate to ascend the stool commenced.
Whereas the Family Head claims there are three Royal Households namely Atia, Akwasiase and Edwenease, the other party insists there are four with Bronum included.
According to Opanin Bonsu, the Bronum is part of the Atia Household, a claim that was affirmed by all three households but was fiercely contested by the Bronum people.
Peace
Highlighting peace as his utmost expectation, Otumfuo declined to pass immediate judgment on the case.
“We need to find out the truth for peace to reign. We can’t leave the concerns lingering. I was prepared to end the case today but that can’t happen…If I decide to allow all four to choose a candidate, it will become history in Kwamang and if I exclude the Bronum people from it while their concerns are legitimate, then I have done them a disservice.”
For peace to reign, Otumfuo committed to personally delving into the history and family tree of the Atia Household.
He recognizes that Abena Takyiwaa Pinamang, whose roots are with the Bronum people, is a royal. However, the contention lies in her relation to the Atia people.
The case will be heard in April 2025.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
