The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has removed several of his paramount chiefs and queen mothers between 2024 and now.
But what have been the crimes of these chiefs and queen mothers? Most of them have been removed for violating the Ntamkesie – the Great Oath – by invoking it even though they were in the wrong.
On Monday, September 2, 2024, the Asante king destooled the Paramount Chief of Wirempe (Wirepehene), Nana Opia Mensah, for taking the Great Oath.
In November 2024, the Paramount Queen Mother of Denyase was also destooled for the same “crime.”
The latest ‘victim’ of the Ntamkesie is Nana Kusi Baaye II, the chief of Ohwim, who the Asantehene ruled had violated the oath.
At the Asanteman Council sitting on September 2, 2024, the Asantehene decried the reckless use of the Ntamkesie by his sub-chiefs.
He said that the Great Oath was not a thing to joke with, recounting the circumstances that led to the institution of the oath.
He said that the oath was instituted during the reign of the late Otumfuo Osei Tutu I, at a time when the late king was going through great pain and distress because he had no successor, as all his nephews kept dying.
What the Ntamkesie is
The Asantehene said, according to opemsuo.com, that the sister of Otumfuo Osei Tutu I was married to Amakomhene Adu Panin.
However, the first two children they produced died, which left the Asantehene distressed as he feared he might not have a nephew to succeed him.
The priest of the Asante Kingdom intervened in the matter, and the Asantehene got his successor when the third male child of his sister survived.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also indicated that it was at that point that the Great Oath of the Asantehene was established.
The Ntamkesie is a solemn vow that is invoked purposely to affirm one’s innocence in a matter or ownership.
Before the Asantehene hears a case in which the oath was invoked, some rituals must be performed first. Any traditional leader who swears by the oath but is found guilty would lose his position.
BAI/AE
You can also watch as Otumfuo destools Ohwimhene
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