TIG Post

Tag: The Asantehene

  • NDC cooked reports – Chairman Wontumi denies disrespect claims towards Otumfuo

    NDC cooked reports – Chairman Wontumi denies disrespect claims towards Otumfuo

    Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely recognised as Chairman Wontumi and serving as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has refuted claims that he contested the authority of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.

    He asserted that these allegations are unfounded, malicious, and deceptive. Chairman Wontumi accused certain individuals of trying to sow discord between him, the ruling party, and the Asantehene.

    In a press statement dated January 11, 2024, he said that his office “has taken notice of a news report circulating on both the traditional and social media spaces, suggesting that I have acted in a manner that is disrespectful to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    “Specifically, the said news report was carried on Monday, January 10, 2024, in the Punch newspaper and also on AkomaFM and Onuaonline, both NDC-sponsored news outlets.

    “First, I would like to place on record that this story is false, malicious, misleading and a calculated attempt by some elements to pitch the ruling party and my good self against the Asantehene, the occupant of the Golden Stool, for reasons best known to them,” part of the press statement said.

    Wontumi asserted that he never made any statement to that effect during or after the said NPP vetting.

    “I have never made any statement or gestures, before, during or after the vetting that should warrant such disgraceful and an unfounded reportage, and, I therefore, urge party faithfuls and the good people of Asanteman to respectfully, disregard this and treat it with the contempt it deserves.

    “What was laughable is the fact that the writers and sponsors of this malicious venture, could not even provide any evidence to buttress their points as they hid behind “it is alleged”, “he is reported to have…”, but could not make a definite statement in their reportage, “he added.

    Wontumi continued: “This clearly indicates that this was a calculated move targeted at my person by some NDC media outlets and their sponsors, just to tarnish my reputation.”

    Earlier reports indicated that Chairman Wontumi was called to the Manhyia Palace to clarify allegations of him showing disrespect to Otumfuo. Allegedly, this incident occurred during a meeting of the NPP parliamentary primaries vetting committee.

    The NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, who presided over the vetting committee, has rejected the assertions of Wontumi disrespecting Otumfuo.

    Read the full statement below:

    The office of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has taken notice of a news report circulating on both the traditional and social media spaces, suggesting that I have acted in a manner that is disrespectful to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    Specifically, the said news report was carried on Monday, January 10, 2024, in the Punch newspaper and also on AkomaFM and Onuaonline, both NDC-sponsored news outlets.

    Captioned “Wontumi Disrespected Otumfuo at NPP Vetting” on the front page of the NDC’s Punch newspaper, the said story sought to suggest that I made those comments during a vetting process of NPP parliamentary aspirants last week.

    First, I would like to place on record that this story is false, malicious, misleading and a calculated attempt by some elements to pitch the ruling party and my good self against the Asantehene, the occupant of the Golden Stool, for reasons best known to them.

    I have never made any statement or gesture before, during or after the vetting that should warrant such disgraceful and unfounded reportage, and I therefore urge party faithfuls and the good people of Asanteman to respectfully disregard this and treat it with the contempt it deserves.

    What was laughable is the fact that the writers and sponsors of this malicious venture, could not even provide any evidence to buttress their points as they hid behind “it is alleged”, “he is reported to have…”, but could not make a definite statement in their reportage.

    This clearly indicates that this was a calculated move targeted at my person by some NDC media outlets and their sponsors, just to tarnish my reputation.

    As nature would give it, I come from a home with strong understanding of traditions and customs, respect for traditional authorities, and graciously, I have the privilege to serve my party in a capacity as the regional Chairman in the Asante Kingdom.

    With my years of service to the golden stool as the regional chairman, I have served with pride and in dignity to the Asantehene, and, there have never been any moment that my actions and inactions have suggested insubordination to the occupant of the golden stool because I serve the NPP and ultimately the Golden Stool.

    I am by this medium giving the PUNCH newspaper, Broadcastergh.com and AkomaFM/Onuaonline, to retract and apologize within 24 hours to my person and Manhyia Palace, through the same medium, or I will initiate a legal action against them.

    I am focused, well resolved and well placed to lead the party in the region to break the 8, and make Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the next President of the republic of Ghana, in 2025, therefore, such detractive elements cannot weigh me down.

    Thank You

    Signed
    Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi)

    (Regional Chairman, NPP-Ashanti)

  • Otumfuo unhappy with how Kumasi is choked with “kiosks and containers”

    The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has bemoaned the lack of proper planning for the capital town of the Ashanti Region, Kumasi.

    According to him, local authorities have allowed residents to put up kiosks and containers at almost every corner of the city.

    Addressing chiefs and local authorities in the Ashanti Region in a video shared by Opemsuo Radio, which was sighted by GhanaWeb, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged planners in the region not to allow kiosks to be erected at every place just because they provide people with employment.

    “The issue of the kiosks the Bantahene is talking about is the truth. The assembly members have allowed them to put kiosks everywhere. Today, there are kiosks everywhere.

     

    “There are even kiosks on the pavement that pedestrians are supposed to use. We cannot develop a city this way. But I believe that moving forward we should meet all the town planners and district planners and ask them about the spatial planning they are to do.

    “They have to tell us which parts of Kumasi are for car parks and which parts are for stores so that we will all know which parts of the city we cannot put kiosks in. If people say that is the source of their livelihood but their actions are destroying the city, they should not be allowed,” he said in Twi.

    The monarch added that if people are allowed to put up kiosks and containers anywhere, they will very soon be erecting kiosks in front of the houses of other people.

  • New leadership of Assemblies of God pays courtesy call on Asantehene

    The Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam, the newly elected General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, with a 13-member delegation, has paid a courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.

    The engagement was to introduce the leadership of the Church to the Asantehene and to discuss issues of national development.

    Rev. Wengam commended the Asantehene for his unequaled contribution to nation building and the development of Asanteman, particularly, the championing and provision of scholarships for the poor and needy.

    He also thanked the Asantehene for his support for churches – releasing lands for church buildings and construction of schools.

    Rev Wengam spoke about the global influence of Assemblies of God, citing the worldwide membership of 70 million, Africa membership of 19 million and 600,000 in Ghana and stated the Church’s commitment to rapid socio-economic development.

     

    He appealed to the Otumfuo to invite all political parties to a bipartisan round table to find solutions to the challenges facing the economy and pledged the Church’s readiness to working with every government and all traditional rulers to build a God fearing, united, peaceful and prosperous nation.

    The Asantehene congratulated the new leadership and the Assemblies of God, Ghana for their contribution towards the development of Ghana.

    He lauded the Church’s evangelistic activities, which had resulted in the spreading of the word of God to every part of the country.

    Otumfuor promised to continue to work with every government and all political parties to ensure the peace and development of Ghana.

  • Is the Asantehene a King in Ghana? – The Yes and the Nos

    Ghana is known for its unique traditional system. Indeed, it is what was used to govern in the pre-colonial days before the arrival of the Europeans and other Colonial countries.

    Following their arrival, there came more formal governmental systems; the three Arms of Government comprising – The Executive made up of the President and his cabinet, the Legislature made up of parliament and the Judiciary which is the court system.

    But the traditional system of governance still exists and is very important. In Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the chieftaincy institution is recognised and accorded its autonomy in Chapter 22.

    It among other things guarantees the institution, speaks about the constitution and functions of the National House of Chiefs, Regional House of Chiefs, roles of Chiefs and rules that guide the implementation of customary laws.

    Chapter 22, Article 270 (1)

    (1) The institution of chieftaincy, together with its traditional councils as established by customary law and usage, is hereby guaranteed.

    Chiefs are seen as gatekeepers between the central government and their subjects, contribute extensively towards development and help promote peace and tranquility through customary laws.

    The Asantehene is considered the most powerful monarch in the country by many.
    His authority and influence in many issues cannot be understated. However, over time, there has been a debate about his title as many describe him as a King whereas all others are described as paramount Chiefs and other divisional chiefs.

    There have been a number of reasons associated with these debates. Whilst some maintain the Asantehene is above all others on the traditional heirachy, some others say there is no legal backing to that argument.

    In this piece, we take a look at both sides that have been raised;

    The Asantehene is the only King in Ghana:

    This has been posited by some persons over the period. In the past, there were Kings in Ghana who ruled over kingdoms. The Nayire for instance, ruled over the Mamprusi kingdom and the Asantehene over the Ashanti Kingdom.

    With time, the Asantes have maintained this title and reverence and maintain same till this day. The current Asantehene is Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, born Nana Kwaku Dua, ascended as the 16th Asante king in April 1999 and has since been acknowledged as a King by particularly the Asantes. He is in direct succession to the 17th-century founder of the Ashanti Empire, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I.

    Among arguments raised as to why the position and heirachy of Otumfuo cannot be questioned, it has been said that the Otumfuo is in charge of other paramountcies under him and has power to control same even beyond the Ashanti Region.

    He is also said to be the only chief in Ghana who can enstool or destool a paramount chief.

    The Asantehene is also said to be given authority over all lands in the Ashanti Region and also confers titles onto paramount chiefs under him.

    Per this argument, it is suggested that the Asantehene cannot be a paramount chief if he has such authority over other paramount chiefs.

    Otumfuo is legally not recognized as a King by the constitution:

    The other school of thought suggests that though Otumfuo may be duely recognized as King by his subjects – The Asantes, he cannot be recognized as a king in the whole of Ghana.

    The 1992 Constitution guarantees the Chieftaincy institution and the customary laws but does not define a chief as a king.The law (Article 277) only provides that every chief be installed as a chief but does not mention a king.

    The same chapter defines a chief as ‘a person, who, hailing from the appropriate family and lineage, has been validly nominated, elected or selected and enstooled, enskinned or installed as a chief or queen mother in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage’.

    Beyond this, Section 58 of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) makes mention of the Asantehene.

    Here, it’s a bit tricky because whereas the Act groups all paramount chiefs as one, it clearly mentions the Asantehene.

    It states;

    The following are the categories of chiefs;
    a – The Asantehene and Paramount Chiefs,
    b – Divisional Chiefs
    c – Sub-divisional Chiefs,
    d – Adikrofo, and
    e – other chiefs recognized by the National House

    Regardless, it doesn’t still define the Asantehene as a King considering the prefix says;

    “the categories of Chiefs”.

    It is no doubt however that, the Asantehene is considered powerful and very influential in both social and critical national issues. He is usually seen at major state ceremonies and has interacted and met with basically every Head of State during his reign.

    Source: Ghanaweb