Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has denounced the rate at which the Great Oath (Ntamkɛseɛ) is abused and desecrated by traditional authorities within his Kingdom, warning that no one will be spared the consequences when proven guilty.
The solemn vow is invoked purposely to affirm one’s innocence or ownership. It requires that some ritual be performed once invoked before its case is heard by an Asantehene. It also requires that an invoker loses his traditional position when found guilty.
However, the Occupant of the Golden Stool has observed a spiralling abuse of the vow by some traditional authorities.
This subject came up when the Kumasi Traditional Council sat on September 2, 2024, to make a final judgement on the Wirempe Stool which was found to be no exception to the abuse.
“This (The Great Oath) is my deepest sorrow and you all tend to abuse it now. I give you the history today so that you appreciate it and honour it. When individuals invoke it and come before me, I caution them about the consequences. Let it be known that no one, regardless of their position, can invoke it and escape punishment if found guilty.”
History About Great Oath
His Majesty who was visibly provoked by the spate at which the Great oath is abused by chiefs noted that the oath is no joke as it reflects the pain Asantehene went through at a time when all his nephews kept dying.
At the time, he recounted, the sister of the reigning Monarch, Nana Osei Tutu was married to makomhene Adu Panin, however, all the first two children they produced died which left the Asantehene distressed as he feared he may not have a nephew succeed him.
It took the intervention of the Kingdom’s priest for their third child to survive and thereby established as the Great Oath of Asantehene.
“This is my deepest sorrow and you all tend to abuse it now. I give you the history today so that you appreciate it and honour it. When individuals invoke it and come before me, I caution them about the consequences. Let it be known that no one, regardless of their position, can invoke it and escape punishment if found guilty.”
Source: Manhyia Palace
