Queens Are Not Caretakers In the Absence of Chiefs- Otumfuo
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stated that the authority of Queens in Traditional Councils does not extend beyond their control over the chief.
They therefore cannot act as caretakers of traditional Councils in the absence of the chief.
Speaking at the last Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs meeting on November 15, 2024, His Majesty said this ‘illegal act’ is taking place in some traditional Councils.
One of them, he said, was Asankare Traditional Area.
He noted that this is against the dictates of tradition and the law, as Kontri or other designated traditional leaders are meant to act as caretakers when the chief is either travelling, ill, or deceased.
As a result, he said queens have no right to convene Traditional Council meetings in the absence of chiefs.
“Queens have no right to convene meeting traditional Council meetings in the absence of the chiefs. In the absence of the chief, designated caretakers are the ones with the right to take over the administration of the Council. It’s either the Kontri or any other designated person who presides not the Queen. Let us all take note. There is the need to observe the statutory obligation whether the chief is dead, sick or has travelled.”
He noted that the authority of the Queen still extends over the chiefs.
“Queens have authority over chiefs to put them in order. When something untoward happens in traditional Council meetings, she reserves the right to put the chief in order. Their submissions are presented during the council meeting; however, they have no say during the meetings. Their words are spoken by the chief.”
Otumfuo observes that these ‘illegalities’ by queens are motivated by inappropriate welfare and conditions.
He has promised to review this when the Asanteman Council convenes.
His Majesty is bent on putting in place appropriate policies that will offer financial security for queens.
“It no secret that many times we shortchange Queens. Traditionally, chiefs are supposed to take care of the welfare of Queens and so there are no designated properties to them. This has to be reviewed. Some properties will have to be apportioned to them to secure them. Most times queens undertake some unlawful acts to secure their welfare. They sometimes decide to give stools to their biological sons because they are assured better welfare compared to people who are not their sons. All these will come to an end when proper policies are put in place.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
