Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 2nd June '99

The Asanteman Council has fixed Thursday, June 24 to hear allegations made by Nana Yaa Akyaa, Queenmother of Goaso, against Krotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo II, Goasohene, for rebelling against the Golden Stool when he refused to attend to calls by the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, on three occasions.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, announced this on Monday when he sat in state at the maiden meeting of the Council since his enstoolment in April this year.

He asked all the parties to summon all their witnesses and bring all the necessary documents on that day to enable the Council to settle the issue for peace and tranquillity to prevail at Goaso.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the Goasohene has not been destooled and, therefore, all the people should give him the due respect and recognition until the adjourned date to settle the issue. "I will not compromise with any of the parties involved but the case will be settled (based on what is) presented by the parties before Asanteman".

Both parties were fined one live sheep and 28,000 cedis each for invoking the Great Oath of Asanteman (Ntamkesie).

Nana Akyaa told the Council that before the demise of the late Asantehene, the Goasohene was summoned to appear before him (Asantehene) on three occasions but he failed to do so. She added that once the Goasohene had rebelled against the Golden Stool he should not be allowed to swear the oath of allegiance before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Krotwiamansa Ampofo who is also a member of the Council of State, on his part, denied that he had rebelled against the Golden Stool.

He said he had never refused on three occasions to attend to the call of the Asantehene.

He said, however, that there is litigation over the role of Nana Akyaa as Queenmother of Goaso and the case is before the courts.

In another development, the Council has fixed the same day for the hearing of the Kokofu-Ashanti Chieftaincy dispute.

This was after Nana Otuo Serebour II, Juabenhene and Head of the Oyoko Clan of Asante, had pleaded with the Council to allow them to settle the issue amicably and report to the Council.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said he is much concerned about the problem at Kokofu-Ashanti and is determined to ensure that there is peace for a new Omanhene to be installed.

He told the Queenmother, Nana Ataa Birago and the Kingmakers led by Oheneba Owusu Afriyie, the Krontihene, that he has the power to install an Omanhene for Kokofu-Ashanti from the Manhyia Palace but will not do so now.

"The onus is now on both the Queenmother and the Kingmakers to ensure that peace prevails at Kokofu-Ashanti and that they install a new Omanhene", he added.

Nana Birago told the Council that upon the demise of the late Kokofuhene, Nana Kofi Adu II, the royal family met and nominated one Kwabena Gyimah as the successor. She said the Kingmakers demanded 10 million cedis from her before they would consent to her nomination and she has paid eight million cedis of the amount.

The Kingmakers informed her later that they had rejected her nominee. Realising that she was being cheated she reported the matter to the late Asantehene, Otumfuo OpokuWare II.

Nana Birago said during an arbitration at the Manhyia Palace it was decided that the Kingmakers should accept her nominee and were asked to pay 100,000 cedis as drinks for the settlement out of which she paid 50,000 cedis. The Akwamuhene however insisted that her nominee should be rejected. This, she said, had stalled the installation of a new Omanhene for Kokofu-Ashanti.

Oheneba Afriyie said some stool property were missing after the death of the late Kokofuhene and that until they have been found the Kingmakers would not install the Queenmother's nominee, who is also (too) young.

He said in addition, the youth in the town have vowed to resist the installation of Mr Gyimah (the Queenmother's nominee).