General News of Wednesday, 1 March 2000

Source: GNA

Queenmother asked to nominate new chief

Kumasi, Feb. 28, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has directed Nana Afua Sarpong, Queenmother of Akwaboa, to nominate a new person to be enstooled as chief of Akwaboa.

This follows the rejection of an apology, which Nana Osei Bonsu, Paramount Chief of Akwaboa, passed through Barima Asumadu Sakyi II, Kumawuhene to the Asantehene and Asanteman to pardon him for offending the Golden Stool.

Nana Bonsu, who was facing destoolment charges by three of his kingmakers for being enstooled uncustomarily, has also been accused of condoning with a self-styled chief at Mim in Brong-Ahafo to collect monies belonging to the stool at Sunyani.

Ruling on his behaviour, the Asantehene said the apology, which the three kingmakers have refused to accept still stands and that the Queenmother should nominate among the royals a new person to be presented to him to swear the oath of allegiance.

The Asantehene observed that Nana Bonsu was not properly enstooled and to this end, the property of the stool has not been customarily handed over to him. He said "if the base is not well prepared, the top cannot hold", stressing that if the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II had been told the truth, he would not have allowed him to swear the oath of allegiance.