Thursday, 26 December

Asantehene destools Offinso queen mother for insubordination

Culture
The Asantehene, in addressing him, advised finding a new queen mother to support his reign and rulership

During the first Asanteman Traditional Council meeting of the year on Thursday, 11 January 2024, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, announced the destoolment of the queen mother of the Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko. 

This decision was made due to her gross insubordination to the kingdom, marking her as the first traditional leader to be destooled in 2024.

The destoolment was a consequence of Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko's persistent refusal to appear before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II despite several summons over a series of misconducts. 

The newly enstooled chief of Offinso, Nana Dwamena Akenteng II, was present during the Asanteman Council meeting to swear an oath of allegiance. 

The Asantehene, in addressing him, advised finding a new queen mother to support his reign and rulership.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stated: "I deliver the town into your hands alone. You have no queen mother. Find a new queen mother to help you undertake your mandate when you have settled down. We need a queen mother who will be present here when we need her."

The controversy surrounding the Offinso stool emerged following the death of Nana Wiafe Akenten III on October 2, 2021. 

The queen mother's failure to nominate a qualified royal from the Offinso Royal Family for the stool led to protests among kingmakers. 

Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, along with other kingmakers, nominated Dr. Desmond Kofi Koduah Sarpong, a former Board Chairman of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club. 

However, this nomination faced opposition from another faction of kingmakers, claiming the nominee had no royal connection.

The Asante Traditional Council set up a committee to investigate, and it was found that Dr. K.K Sarpong was not related to the Ahyirem Royal Family, as claimed by the queen mother. 

As a result, the nominee was disqualified, leading to tensions in Offinso. 

The Asantehene directed the royals to select a candidate, and Nana Amoako Poku was sworn in as the new Offinso Chief on December 18, 2023.

Source: classfmonline.com