Nkoranza Belongs to My Wife- Asantehene
The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has laid bare the tradition and history behind Nkoranza, a town that is in the present-day Bono East Region.
The male and female stools have since been occupied by the sons and daughters of the Asantehene. As such, male leaders are given the title “Oheneba” and are honoured as sons of Asantehene.
Prior to the oath of allegiance by the Oheneba Kwame Baffoe at the Manhyia Palace before the Asanteman Council on January 13, 2025, Otumfuo affirmed that the stool belongs to his wife and sons, assuring that it cannot be misplaced.
“When the litigation over the stool started- with Nana Baffoe being illegitimately enstooled- I told Nana Amakomhene it was no big deal. I repeated same to the late Queen when she came to inform me. The town belongs to my wife and children. Descendants of Sarponmaa occupy that stool.”
The King however did not blame Nana Baffoe who has now been legitimately enstooled chief for his past mistake- disregard for tradition.
“Many thought he (new chief) could trample on tradition and prevail, but he can’t. He had no idea of the history behind the stool. He was only pushed to go for the stool without recourse to tradition but then along the line, he realized his mistake and went back to take the right path.”
The Asantehene noted that his ownership of that part of the country is widely recognized, recounting how the overlord of Gonjaland came to him while the late Nana Katakyie Agyemang Kodom reigned over Nkoranza to inform him about an attempt to claim some of his lands.
“He came directly to me and told me, ‘Nana your son is troubling me over my lands, but I know the town belongs to you so intervene.’ So I called the late Nkoranzahene to speak to him.”
“He (new chief) has come to know that Nkoranza belongs to Asantehene and therefore chooses whomever he deems fit to ascend the stool. While he (new chief) carried himself out as the chief without my blessings, he never felt the authority that comes with it. Today, I give you the right to reign over the town. Lead with humility.”
Nana Baffoe’s request to take the oath was therefore upheld and he was given the Mpomponsuo sword to swear to be faithful to the Asantehene.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
