- Otumfuo forms committee to probe Akroso dispute
- Queen challenges new chief's enstoolment
- Great Oath invoked in dispute
A four-member committee has been established by the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to investigate the ongoing dispute between the Queen of Akroso and the stool elders of the Traditional Area. The committee is tasked with addressing the threefold conflict involving the nomination and enstoolment of a new chief for the area.
The committee, formed during the Asanteman Council’s final meeting of the year on December 16, 2024, includes Osabarima Debrah Agyei II, Seikwahene; Barima Freduah Agyemang Ababio, Kwabre Kenyasehene; Nana Ogyedom Appiah Kubi Pabo Katakye IV, Sankorehene; and Baffour Amoateng III, Otumfuo Kyeame Panin.
Addressing the committee, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II emphasized the importance of resolving the issue, stating, “It’s an issue of royalty. Look for the first occupant of the stool and trace it down to find the Bonafide owners.”
The Dispute
The conflict revolves around three main issues: the Queen’s exclusion from the nomination process for the new male chief, the invocation of the Great Oath, and the question of the Queen’s legitimacy to occupy the stool.
When the dispute first arose, the Queen of Akroso, Nana Adwoa Fosuaa, explained her position before the Asanteman Council on October 14. She recounted that she had been receiving treatment when she learned that the Akroso Kontrihene, Akuamoah Boateng II, had enstooled a new chief without her knowledge. “I was sick at home receiving treatment when I was told Amankrado (Kontrihene) had enstooled a new chief without my knowledge. When I recovered, I came here to the Manhyia Palace to report that,” the Queen explained.
Akroso Kontrihene Akuamoah Boateng II defended his actions, stating that he had only received the nominee from the royal family and proceeded to perform the enstoolment rites. “I was approached by Owusu Aboagye with Prof. Danson as their nominee and since I am not a member of the royal family, I only accepted him and performed the due rites for his enstoolment,” he said. “It was later I was notified with a court injunction and from the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs that I had sidelined the Queen in the nomination and enstoolment of the candidate.”
The Invocation of the Great Oath
At the council meeting, Owusu Aboagye invoked the Great Oath to challenge the legitimacy of Queen Nana Adwoa Fosuaa’s position. Aboagye argued that the Queen was not a royal by birth, and that historical circumstances had enabled her family to assume control of the stool. With this belief, he excluded the Queen from the process of electing a new candidate for the chief’s stool and nominated Professor Ofori Danson instead. “I sidelined the Queen to elect a candidate- one Prof. Ofori Danson- and presented him to the Kontrihene for enstoolment over the Traditional Area,” Aboagye stated.
In response, the Queen also invoked the Great Oath to defend her legitimacy, asserting that she is not related to Aboagye and that his family members are stool bearers within the Traditional Area.
Dispute Over Family Headship
A separate aspect of the dispute involves a clash between Aboagye and Atta Kwakye, both of whom lay claim to the position of family head of the Royal House. The two have invoked and counter-invoked the Great Oath to assert their respective positions as the rightful family leader.
