Asantehene strikes in Amansie Destools Abodomhene over galamsey, other offences
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has destooled the chief of Abodom near Bekwai in the Amansie area of the Ashanti Region, Nana Osaforo Koto II for committing 20 offences including sale of farmlands for illegal gold mining (galamsey).
Other charges for which he was found guilty include sale of cemetery to a developer, and general neglect of the town for the seven years that he occupied the Abodom stool. The charges were leveled against him by some elders of the town.
The destoolment took place at the Kumasi Traditional Council meeting at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday, August 10, 2023, which was chaired by His Majesty.
Eye on Amansie
His Majesty has waged a relentless crusade against galamsey in his Kingdom, and has warned that any of his chiefs found culpable would not be spared.
At the launch of the 2023 Green Ghana Day in Kumasi on May 17, 2023, Otumfuo expressed grave concern about the rate at which galamsey is causing havoc in the Amansie enclave and indicated that chiefs within such communities would have questions to answer . “I’m not happy with chiefs in the Amansie area where galamsey has taken over the land and I say to them if you sit there and you think that you don’t know what is happening, then you are not fit to be a chief over there. “ I have gotten reports about what is happening and all the chiefs in that area have to answer about what is happening in their area,” he said adding that he will take a drive around the areas affected by galamsey.
Disappointment
Before declaring the Abodomhene destooled , Otumfuo expressed disappointment with the ex chief for the poor manner he handled the affairs of the town.
He also chastised the queenmother of the town for presenting Nana Osaforo Koto II to him seven years ago for acceptance when she knew he did not have the qualities of a chief. “If a stool is given to a wrong person this is what happens . For seven years, you couldn’t do anything meaningful for Adobom and it is proper that I take the stool away from you, “ the Asantehene stated.
Immediately after declaring Nana Osaforo Koto II destooled , his sandals were removed to traditionally symbolise his destoolment .
Previous destoolments
The Abodomhene’s case brings to three , chiefs in the Ashanti Region who have been destooled by the King this year.
On May 29, 2023, Otumfuo destooled the Antoahene , Nana Kwame Owusu Agyeman, 96, who had been on the Antoa stool for 23 years over a number of charges including multiple sale of land. Also on June 8, 2023, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II destooled Nana Nketia Boampong II, the Chief of Kwaso near Ejisu for bribery and other offences.
