General News of Thursday, 23 September 1999

Source: GNA

Drama at Kumasi Traditional Council

Kumasi, Sept. 22, GNA - Two principal attendants of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II last Thursday suddenly seized a microphone from a witness in a chieftaincy dispute and asked the Otumfuo to close for the day.

The incident took place at the sitting of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) presided over by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu. The two Nana Yaw Owusu, Mpaboahene and Nana Osei Asibey, Deebosohene told the Asantehene that he could not use one day to resolve all the chieftaincy disputes before the Council and should close.

At the time of the incident, the Council was hearing the Krapa Chieftaincy case. The day's proceedings, which started around mid-day was still in progress by 17:00 hours.

Apparently feeling that the Asantehene had sat for too long, they suddenly emerged and seized the microphone. The behaviour of the two so incensed the divisional chiefs, sub-chiefs and linguists that, attempts by the Gyaase Division to intervene plead on their behalf was not entertained.

The Council contended that the behaviour of the two had embarrassed not only members, but the Asantehene, who was presiding as well. The Council described their behaviour as uncustomary and unprecedented and that the two should be punished.

The Asantehene after severely rebuking them told the two that the fact that he was free with them did not mean that they could misbehave towards him before his Chiefs. They were consequently asked to slaughter four sheep each