Otumfuo Rebukes Gyadam Queen and Kingmakers for Mishandling Male Stool

The Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has censured the Queen of the Gyadam Traditional Area, Nana Kwartemaa Mmorongo II, and the six kingmakers of the jurisdiction for mishandling the male stool.

The Queen and kingmakers are divided over the candidate to enstool as the successor to the late Nana Ayim Kumnipa.

While Nana Mmorongo seeks to enstool her brother, the opposing faction, led by the Family Head, wants to enstool his nephew, Kofi Thomas.

Dispute
According to the stool elders, the burial rites of the late chief were funded with money they received from Thomas, with the understanding that he would be enstooled as chief.

They claimed this agreement was reached with the Queen’s consent.

However, making her case before the Asanteman Council on March 17, 2025, the Queen admitted that the decision to seek financial support from the royal was agreed upon during deliberations on funding the burial.

She, however, firmly denied that the money was accepted on the condition that Thomas would be enstooled.

“That was never the agreement. If that had been proposed, I wouldn’t have supported it.”

Both parties called witnesses to testify in support of their claims.

Violation of Tradition
In response, Otumfuo faulted the kingmakers for grossly violating tradition.

“What business does the Queen have in funding a chief’s burial? Isn’t it your sole responsibility as kingmakers to finance and organise everything? Why then did you involve the Queen? And why did you go to a royal for money?”

One of the elders attempted to justify their actions but was unsuccessful.

His Majesty also reproached the Queen for agreeing to seek financial aid from a royal, questioning, “How did you agree to this in the first place?”

The Asantehene emphasised that stool elders bear full financial responsibility for a deceased chief’s burial, and the Queen has no role in it.

Annulment
His Majesty declared that the stool belonged to him and that no one had the right to mortgage it under any circumstances.

The stool belongs to me. How could you make financial commitments with it?”

On that note, Otumfuo annulled any commitments made regarding the enstoolment, stating that their actions violated tradition.

“I have annulled every step you have taken. Your commitment no longer stands.”

Fine
Additionally, all seven individuals—the Queen and the six kingmakers—were each fined a ram.

Despite this, Otumfuo directed the Queen and the kingmakers to continue overseeing the affairs of the traditional area.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini