General News of Friday, 20 July 2007

Source: KINGSLEY ANTWI BOASIAKO,MANHYIA CORRESPONDENT, KESSBEN FM, KUMASI

Asanthene destools asomfohene

The Asanthene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu has destooled the Asomfohene, Nana Osei Kwabena for flouting the authority of the Great Oath , one of the puillars of the Asante Kingdom. This was after the Asomfohene, Nana Osei Kwabena had sold tracts of land valued at about five hundred million Cedis which has been the subject of dispute between the Asomfo Stool and that of Atwima Agogo.

To allow for smooth investigations into the matter to establish the rightful owner of the said stool land, His Majesty the Asanthene Otumfuo Osei Tutu warned both parties involved in the dispute not to sell any portion of the land until the matter had been dealt with .Both factions were thus made to swear the Great Oath to the effect that they would comply with the Asantehene's directive .Reports however reached the Otumfuo that the Asomfohene was selling tracts of land on the said land thereby flouting the authority of the Great Oath.

Otumfuo then summoned the Asomfohene to appear before his Court at a sitting of the Kumasi Traditional Council at the Manhyia Palace this afternoon together with his stool elders to brief the Council why he flouted the Otumfuo's ruling. The Asomfohene, Nana Osei Kwabena admitted having committed the offence and pleaded for the Otumfuo to temper justice with mercy. But the Asantehene who had earlier refused such plea from the Kokofuhene Barima Ofe Akwasi Okogyeasuo and the Tepa hene, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem could not compromise his hard stand on the issue especially after he had issued several warnings to Nananom to respect the authority of the Great Oath.The Otumfuo then asked him to vacate the stool as his conduct constituted gross disrespect to the Golden Stool. His tradtional sandals were consequently removed in accordance with Asante Tradition signifying that he has been removed.

Earlier , majority of the representatives of the various chieftaincy clans at the Kumasi Traditional Council , the Asantehene's court in their contributions about the issue intimated that the action of their colleague chief warranted immediate destoolment.