Stop Involving Your Wives in Chieftaincy Affairs; Asantehene to Chiefs

The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has warned chiefs in his realm against involving their wives in traditional affairs of their jurisdictions.

He notes that traditional leadership is the sole prerogative and responsibility of the Queens and the Chiefs.

The Asantehene holds that the increasing and alarming trend of involvement of spouses in such issues is untraditional and against customs.

Addressing the Asanteman Council on January 13, 2025, during the first meeting of the year, Otumfuo said, “Nananom must take note that the traditional area is placed in the care of the Queen and the Chief with no one else included.

“Your wives are not to rule with you. Your wives aren’t royals and so have no business in chieftaincy issues and leadership. Some chiefs have their wives seated during proceedings and that is against tradition.”

Queens’ Views

Additionally, Otumfuo stressed that Queens are not mandated to air their views during traditional council meetings.

Tradition, he said, dictates that the Queens can offer their views to only the chief at home and not at the council meetings.

“If she has concerns or opinions to share, she should discuss them with the chief at home. During dispute resolution meetings, if she has objections, she should ask the chief to pause the proceedings or, alternatively, address any mistakes made by the chief in a private discussion at home.”

Discord
His Majesty further encouraged Chiefs and Queens to make use of indoor conflict resolution during disputes.

According to him, third parties such as stool elders must not be dragged into discord between chiefs and queens. This, he said, is tantamount to airing their dirty laundry in public which debases their stools.

The only persons the King suggested could be brought into such issues for resolution are the Family Head or Gyaashene.

“It is against tradition to publicly sell your issues,” the King asserted.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini