Peace Prevails as Asantehene Supervises Selection of Stool Nominee for Berekum

Calm has returned to the Berekum Traditional Area after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, supervised the selection of a nominee for the vacant male stool.

The peace pipe was smoked during proceedings of the Kumasi Traditional Council, paving the way for tranquility after weeks of tension over the process.

Two weeks ago, the Asantehene directed the Queen, Nana Akosuah Ameyaahene II, to select a candidate for presentation to the kingmakers.

On May 18, 2026, when the Asantehene was ready to receive the nominee, he was told the process had hit a hiatus on the part of some kingmakers.

No Show
Per a report by the Benkumhene, who is the acting caretaker over the Traditional Area, three of the kingmakers including the Adontenhene, Akyeamehene, and Kontihene failed to show up for the meeting to receive and review the candidate. However, those who showed up accepted the nominee.

Each of the three was afforded the opportunity to justify their absence.

The Kontihene stated that he had traveled at the time of the notice, while the Adontenhene said the notice for the meeting came at short notice while he was at work.

For his part, the Akyeamehene cited fear over the atmosphere of the venue, which he said was full of heavily built men.

Grievances
The Asantehene also gave the Korasohene the opportunity to voice his grievances. He responded that the Queen had labeled him a non-royal and an Ivorian.

One other person from Mpataabo raised an objection about how the Queen had rejected their plea to give the stool to Kwabena Kusi, stating that she had indicated they were not royal.

Nominees
Otumfuo charged the Queen to admit Kwabena Kusi among the nominees, bringing the total to four: Kwame Tabiri, Kofi Asante, Frimpong Amoako, and Kwabena Kusi.

Meanwhile, the Asantehene noted that the Korasohene had no case as the Queen had admitted his plea in spite of her claims.

“Your case would have been upheld had the Queen rejected your plea,” he said.

Selection Process
Otumfuo then gave the Queen the opportunity to make her choice among the four- to which she named Kofi Asante.

Following an enquiry, the Kontihene, Adontenhene, and Akyeamehene affirmed they had nothing against the nominee.

The Asantehene immediately directed the kingmakers to take custody of the nominee and begin the enstoolment process.

He indicated that due process had taken its course for the selection.

“Had the kingmakers rejected the nominee with reasonable justification, I would have directed the Queen to go back and nominate another person,” he said.

The Asantehene directed them to present the nominee and their traditional drink on May 25, 2026.

He warned them against any form of insubordination against the nominee once enstooled, noting that anyone who does so risks being destooled.

To the Korasohene, Otumfuo charged to counsel the incoming chief.

“He is your responsibility now. Shape him well for the stool, else you as royals will bear the consequences when he fails. Your grievance is about how the Queen is ruling the town and how she ruled through the deceased chief, but no one knows tomorrow. Maybe the incoming chief will be the one to put the queen to order,” he said.

Counsel
The Asantehene took advantage and counselled the nominee to put on humility and prove the kingmakers wrong on their misconception about him.

Meanwhile, Otumfuo assured the Kontihene of his powers once the new chief ascends the stool.

Not Always Your Way
The Asantehene noted that the stool can be assumed by one person at a time, and that mankind cannot always have their way.

“You can’t always have your way. All the nominees were competent and deserving. One is a lawyer and another resides in America. No one knows what the future holds. Be patient if your preference didn’t make it,” he said.

No Winner, No Loser
His Majesty also emphasized that the resolution process did not make anyone a winner or loser. The Asantehene affirmed that peace was what was needed.

Attempted Authority Assertion
Otumfuo condemned attempts by some persons to exert their authority over Berekum, noting that it would not materialise.

He stated that Berekum was founded for a cause which cannot be overridden.

Peace
The peace pipe was smoked in the presence of His Majesty.

The Kontihene disclosed that the nominee was his brother-in-law, asserting, “Our relationship is yet to get stronger.”

All parties in the dispute happily embraced the nominee and the outcome.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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