The Ashyirem Royal Gate has criticised the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, over his refusal to accept the nomination of former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong, as the paramount chief of Offinso.
In a press statement sighted by GhanaWeb, the Royal Gate accused the Asantehene of deploying all forms of tactics to stop Dr. K. K. Sarpong’s nomination, even though he is the choice of the people of Offinso.
The group added that Otumfuo’s remarks while rejecting the nomination of Dr. Sarpong at a gathering at the Manhyia Palace were unfortunate.
“It is important to note that Otumfuo’s pronouncements at some of the Asanteman Council sittings on the Offinso Stool Affairs are regrettable. There have been unsubstantiated allegations, among others, all in a bid to justify a course of action he wants to take. Recounting these here can be very embarrassing, to say the least.
“…One can justifiably conclude that Otumfuo is trying at ALL COST, to find a reason to block Dr. K. K. Sarpong’s nomination. But we think the Overlord of Asanteman should eschew bias and exhibit fairness towards the Ashyirem Royal family and Offinsoman. Truth is that since we revere Otumfuo, it would have been disrespectful to have challenged his pronouncements while he was sitting in State. However, it is only fair that very obvious errors which undermine the rights of the Ashyirem royals, including Dr. K. K. Sarpong, ought to be corrected,” parts of the statement read.
The group also accused the Asantehene of using intimidatory tactics to force the Offinsohemaa, the kingmakers of Offinso, and K.K. Sarpong into submission.
“Is this not contrary to the very principles on which Asanteman was founded and built? Wherein lies the “ ka bi na menka bi” mantra? Asanteman should be fair to all of its citizens at all times. We humbly appeal to Otumfuo not to wage a personal vendetta on anyone so as to get his will to prevail. Rather, justice should be done to all manner of persons to honour the Golden Stool and in line with his own oath,” it said.
The group also said that the Asantehene had no power to enstool a paramount chief (Omanhene).
“In line with Asante customs and traditions, which and often hammered by Otumfuo himself, he (Otumfuo) does not select and enstool any Omanhene. This is also the spirit of the Asante Confederacy, which protects the identity of each paramountcy. Otumfuo and Asanteman Council are invited to resolve misunderstandings in the process of enstoolment but not to undermine a process which has gone the full length without any blemish,” it added.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on April 28, 2022, days before his departure to the United States, turned down a request from Offinsohene Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko to accept Dr. Sarpong as her choice to ascend the Offinso stool, telling her to go and do the right thing as demanded by the tradition and the customary protocols.
The kingmakers of the Offinso Traditional Area chose the former GNPC boss to succeed the late paramount chief of Offinso, Nana Wiafe Akenten II, who joined his ancestors.
Source: ghanaweb.com
