The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has reaffirmed the significance of the name “Osei Tutu” that he bears during a meeting with some chiefs and elders in his kingdom.
He stated that he is the reincarnation of Osei Tutu, the founder of the Asante Kingdom, and holds authority over all the stools in Ashanti.
This declaration came in the context of a dispute involving Manhyia Palace, the elders of Offinso, and Dr. KK Sarpong’s kinsmen.
The Asantehene rejected the nomination of Dr. KK Sarpong, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC), for the Offinso stool. The nomination was put forward by the Queen Mother of Offinso, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, and her elders.
The Asantehene’s decision has led to protests from some youth in Offinso, who accuse him of abusing his power and disrespecting their queen mother.
They have expressed their disappointment and called for him to allow the queen mother and the kingmakers to carry out their duties. This situation reflects complex dynamics and traditions within the Asante Kingdom.
The statement read in part: “Offinso is highly disappointed in how the pending chieftaincy dispute is being resolved by His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Offinso has taken notice that Asantehene is taking advantage of the respect that our queen mother has for him and therefore overexercising his powers on our queen mother to harass and make her powerless.
The kingmakers unanimously accepted the nominee in good faith. If the kingmakers had rejected the nominee, the queen mother would not have an option, and we repeat that there was nothing like an objection from our kingmakers. We can state emphatically that Otumfuo has no power to enstool or destool any Omanhene and should allow the Offinso Hemaa and kingmakers to do their work as custom demands.”
The Asantehene, however, has dismissed their claims and warned them to be careful in their dealings. He said he knows the history and the lineage of the Offinso stool and he will not compromise on the truth and the tradition. He also revealed how he came to bear the name Osei Tutu, which he said was given to him by Osei Tutu himself when he was ascending the throne.
“How did I end up with Osei Tutu as my stool name? How did Osei Tutu give me his name when I was ascending the throne?
There is no stool in Ashanti that is not under my power when I have been reincarnated in Osei Tutu. So be careful in your dealings, if it remains that we choose from the Ashiem Family we can still find a pure royal to install. If you line up all the prospectives here and they claim to be from the Ashiem Family but are not descendants of the women who have no curse placed on them, then you lie.
If you are also a rightful descendant let me know and decide because I know everything and I have all the records,” he said.
Ghanapublisher.com
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