The occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has ended the over three decade reign of Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, the Queen mother of Offinso Traditional Area.
Her destoolment was pronounced on Thursday, January 11, 2024, when the newly enstooled chief of Offinso, Nana Dwamena Akenteng II appeared before the Asanteman Council headed by Asantehene to swear an oath of allegiance.
It marked the first meeting of the Council this year and she becomes the first traditional authority to be destooled by the King in 2024.
The destoolment was premised on gross insubordination on her part after refusing to appear before Otumfuo following a summon, adding to the series of her offences.
Delivering the verdict, Otumfuo said, “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.”
Background
The controversy over the Offinso stool emerged after attempts by some persons led by the Queen mother to “sell” it to Dr Desmond Kofi Koduah Sarpong, former Board Chairman of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club.
According to Hemanhene Nana Wiafe Apau Sanwoansan, who represented the Bekum Division at a presser by the Kumasi Traditional Area in December, some royals approached Otumfuo about efforts by the Queen mother to compromise on tradition and give away the stool to KK Sarpong.
The royals urged the King to intervene to forestall the unforeseen situation, prompting the establishment of a committee to probe the allegation.
It was found by the Otumfuo and the Committee that the said KK Sarpong- who was presented by the Queen mother to occupy the stool was not related to the Ahyirem Royal Family as he claimed after analysis of his family tree.
It was found that the woman he claimed to originate from never had a child and was thus disqualified, breeding tensions among the Queen mother and some youth of Offinso.
Asantehene thus directed the royals to select a candidate to be sworn in.
On December 18, the royals, led by Kwakwaboa Abusuapanin Opanin Yaw Nkrumah Adusah, presented Nana Amoako Opoku to Otumfuo at the Manhyia Palace in accordance with Asante tradition.
