Alleged disrespect towards Otumfuo: Wontumi faces Kumasi Traditional Council today

Beleaguered Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias Chairman Wontumi is billed to appear before the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) at 10 a.m. today, Monday, January 22, 2024, over his alleged disparaging remarks against the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The Vice President of the Kumasi Traditional Council, Bantamahene Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia VI, will chair the meeting. The NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong is expected to present Wontumi before the traditional council.

Revelations
Chairman Wontumi was summoned to appear before Nananom following revelations by the Manhyia South Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta popularly called Tom Tom, and the Kokosohene Nana Kwaku Duah.

During the vetting of parliamentary aspirants of the NPP in the Ashanti Region on January 3, 2024, Chairman Wontumi, in a furious mood, is said to have remarked that he has his own kingdom in the Ashanti Region with his army and police.

Nana Kwaku Duah, who is Otumfuo’s Obrempon and also chairman of NPP’s Manhyia South Council of Elders who was present, confronted Chairman Wontumi that apart from the Asantehene, no one owns a kingdom in Asanteman, but the regional NPP chairman grew even more furious, insisting that he would speak his mind even if Otumfuo disagrees.

Chairman Tom Tom and Nana Kwaku Duah, who were present when Wontumi made the alleged remarks, will also be present at today’s meeting as principal witnesses.

Denials
Already, Chairman Wontumi has denied the allegations against him. In a statement, he said, “I 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.”

Reactions
Since the story of Wontumi’s alleged disparaging remarks towards the Asantehene broke, a number of individuals and organizations in Asanteman have lashed at him.

A group called Ashanti Youth held a news conference and called on Manhyia to ban him from entering the palace.

Chairman Tom Tom also took on the National Organizer of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye aka Nana B for defending Wontumi.

About Kumasi Traditional Council
The Kumasi Traditional Council was established under section 12 of the Chieftaincy Act, 1971 (Act 370). Under the Chieftaincy Act, 1961 (Act 81) which was replaced by a Chieftaincy Act, 1971 (Act 370), the Kumasi Traditional Council was known as the Kumasi State Council, which was established under the State Councils (Ashanti) ordinance of 1952 (No. 4). It was earlier known and called the Kumasi Divisional Council.

The traditional jurisdiction of KTC covers the whole of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly area and some places in the Ashanti, Bono, and Bono East regions. It comprises of Krontire, Akwamu, Adonten, Benkum, Gyaase, Ankobia, Kyidom, Oyoko, Mawere and Nkosuo divisions. Each of these divisions has its own Divisional Council.

The Asantehene is the President of the Kumasi Traditional Council. The Krontihene of Kumasi who is also the Bantamahene is the Vice-President of the Council.

The day-to-day administration of the Kumasi Traditional Council is headed by a Traditional Council Registrar. The Registrar is supported by some core officers. The KTC has executive jurisdiction to hear and determine any cause or matter affecting chieftaincy which arises within its area not being one to which the Asantehene is a party. In other words, KTC has jurisdiction to hear and determine all chieftaincy disputes except that which involves the Asantehene.