Royals Have No Business Financing Burial of Deceased Chiefs- Asantehene

The Occupant of the Gold Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has ruled that it’s traditionally erroneous to involve royals in funding the burial of a deceased traditional leader.

The cost, His Majesty reiterated, must be borne by the kingmakers as the leader is their responsibility.

“When a chief dies, it is the responsibility of the kingmakers to fund the burial. Most often, they claim there is no money. If there is no money, get a loan… In your situation, you could have consulted me so we figure out the way forward instead of going to a royal for money in exchange for the stool,” the King said on July 10, 2025, during an Asanteman Council meeting at the Manhyia Palace while receiving the “Dibim” of the Gyadam Traditional Council.

Involving royals in the funding compromises traditional processes, the King stated.

“It must be noted that royals have no business funding of such things. This compromises the enstoolment process and skews it in favour of influential individuals. If this was the tradition, children as young as 14 years couldn’t have occupied traditional positions because they have no wealth to offer.”

Annulling all entitlements to the stool, Otumfuo directed that the leaders go back to find a suitable candidate who can competently represent the Council at the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs.

“Find a literate who can contribute on the floor at the Regional House of Chiefs. The world is advancing and so if we don’t get someone like that the town will never develop and the stool will dwindle in essence.”

The King was quick to add that he did not intend to have a wealthy person but one who could well represent the Council in all matters.

This, Otumfuo said, must be done in consultation with the Family Head.

Background
The Queen, Nana Kwartemaa Mmorongo II, and the six kingmakers of the jurisdiction were divided over the candidate to enstool as the successor to the late Nana Ayim Kumnipa.

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

At the Council meeting on March 17, it was heard that money was taken from Thomas for the burial rites of the late chief in exchange for the stool.

Making her case before the Council, the Queen acknowledged the decision to seek financial support from the royal, however, she firmly denied that the money was accepted on the condition that Thomas would be enstooled.

After hearing both sides, all seven individuals—the Queen and the six kingmakers—were each fined a ram.

Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/