Sankofaonline News Desk | December 20, 2025.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a firm caution to kingmakers across Asanteman, urging them to desist from using chieftaincy vacancies as opportunities to settle personal scores with Queen Mothers.
Addressing the Asanteman Council on December 15, 2025, during deliberations on the stalled enstoolment of a successor to the late Asante Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the Asantehene stressed that no kingmaker has the authority to manipulate traditional processes for personal gain.
Otumfuo reminded the kingmakers that disagreements with a Queen Mother must be resolved through appropriate channels, not by obstructing her constitutional role in nominating a candidate for a vacant stool.
Allegations Against the Mamponghemaa
The dispute before the Council involved three kingmakers,the Ankobeahene, Kyidomhene, and Akwamuhene,who accused the Mamponghemaa, Nana Agyakoma Difie II, of breaching custom by attempting to unilaterally enstool her preferred candidate, Leslie Osei Bonsu.
According to them, the Queen Mother caused her nominee to be lifted and paraded through unapproved routes before formally presenting him to the kingmakers.
“We boycotted him because she bypassed us,” they told the Council, adding that the Queen Mother had also exhibited what they described as a “rude” attitude in her dealings with them.
Nana Agyakoma Difie II rejected the accusations, insisting she followed due process in selecting the nominee. She denied orchestrating the alleged premature parade, explaining that “the men in my home lifted him on their own,” and that she only became aware of the incident after seeing it on social media.
Otumfuo Questions Delayed Accountability
In response, Otumfuo expressed concern that the kingmakers had allowed tensions with the Queen Mother to fester for years without addressing them directly when the late Mamponghene was alive.
His Majesty noted that the current dispute had created an opportunity for the Queen Mother to be held accountable for her conduct, but warned that personal grievances must not be allowed to derail the enstoolment process.
“I know she disregards you, and you fear she may do worse if her brother becomes chief,” Otumfuo said, while also reprimanding the Queen Mother for her attitude.
No Obstruction Without Legitimate Cause
The Asantehene was unequivocal that a Queen Mother’s authority to nominate a candidate cannot be undermined without clear, legitimate grounds.
“That is her role, and it cannot be taken away from her,” he stated. “If you reject her nominee, it must be based on proven reasons, being an ex-convict, a criminal, mentally unstable, and so on. If none of these applies, the nominee must be enstooled.”
Otumfuo acknowledged that some kingmakers preferred another candidate, Prof. Akosah, whom he described as highly qualified. However, he stressed that the final decision rests solely with the Queen Mother.
“If she does not choose him, there is nothing anyone can do about it,” he emphasised.
Queen Mother’s Nominee Affirmed
Bringing finality to the matter, Otumfuo summoned the Queen Mother’s nominee before the Council and directed that he be formally re‑presented to the kingmakers.
His Majesty ordered the kingmakers to perform all necessary customary rites and return with the nominee to swear the oath of allegiance.
In closing, Otumfuo reaffirmed the enduring strength of Asanteman’s unwritten constitution, clear in its principles and unwavering in its guidance.
