Advertisement

Unsavoury Comments Over Missing Jewellery Angered Asantehene


Investigations conducted by Graphic.com.gh indicate that the Asantehene’s anger over comments suggesting that he could be destooled for the theft of his crown jewels, was directed at sociologist and traditional ruler, Nana Obiri Yeboa.

In a rather uncharacteristic manner Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at a meeting with members of the Asanteman Council last Monday to brief them on his recent visit to Norway, poured out his anger in a veiled form but sources at Manhyia Palace revealed that the statement was directed at Nana Obiri Yeboa.

 Nana Obiri Yeboa who was the first to comment on the missing jewels at the time the Asantehene was still in Norway, told Joy FM, an Accra radio station that for failing to seriously guard the ancestry legacy, Otumfuo had questions to answer.

 He was quoted by myjoyonline as having told the radio station that due to the historical significance attached to the jewels, anybody who is in possession must account to the people of Ashanti yearly, and one is sure of getting punished for any “shortage” adding “It can lead to destoolment.

In instances where one is not even destooled, the ancestors may visit the person who misplaced them with some catastrophic consequences.“It should not be stolen, it is a family property and if it is sold or stolen, the fear is that the ancestors will revisit you with diseases and calamities. It has haunted so many families which have dissipated these legacies that is why it is a worry to many Ashantis,” the sociologist added.

Perhaps to underline the time tested Asante traditions which prohibited the destoolment of an Asantehene, Otumfuo pointed out that it was out of place for anyone to suggest that he would lose his kingship if the precious items were not found.

“I am the bona fide king of Ashantis and no one has the right to question me over items that I owe,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu charged out.

He continued, “How can you sit on radio and television to say that I, an  Asantehene would be destooled when that is not possible?”

Not satisfied with the failure of his chiefs to defend him against the foul ‘language’ from Nana Obiri Yeboa, Otumfuo castigated them saying, “If you think I should fight my own fight tell me.”

Seeing that the King’s anger may flare up, some paramount chiefs led by the Mamponghene,  Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, who is the second in command of Ashanti traditional system rushed to where the king was seated and pleaded with him to hold back his anger, to which he obliged.

Story: Kwame Asare Boadu

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |