Asantehene Strikes Again; Destools 3 Chiefs Over Galamsey

Says “You will destroy my communities and ruin the lives of our people if…”

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stripped off the powers of three traditional sub-chiefs at Sabronum in the Ahafo-Ano South East District of the Ashanti Region, over their involvement in illegal mining activities, popularly called galamsey in the area.

The three traditional leaders, Gyaasehene Nana Awua Gyau Atuomi, Akyeamehene Nana Kankam Boadu and the Baamuhene Nana Yaw Tabiri Gyansa, were banned from performing any mandate on his behalf in the area.

“You have exploited the authority bestowed upon you to despoil the land. If I still keep you in charge, you will destroy my communities and ruin the lives of our people. If it is the DCE who could not boldly call you to order, I have done that,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu angrily said.

He went on: “Your tenure of leadership concludes today, and any attempt to engage in subterfuge upon your exit will result in your arrest. The power you have abused is now slipping away from your grasp”.

“Sabronum does not belong solely to you, hence you are not at liberty to act with impunity there,” the Overlord of the Asante Kingdom was quoted in multiple media reports as saying.

Their destoolment, followed a petition submitted by some residents in the area, over the illegal activities of the chiefs and the subsequent investigations ordered by the Asantehene into the matter.

The investigation, conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) implicated the chiefs, and they were therefore invited to the palace to answer the charges.

At the Asanteman traditional council meeting at the Manhyia palace on Monday August 26, 2024, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who was angry with the conduct of the sub-chiefs, ordered the immediate removal of all the traditional powers and authorities of the chiefs, after their inability to extricate themselves from the allegations and charges.

Testimonies from various witnesses, revealed that almost all the traditional leaders in the area, are involved in the unlawful mining operations, with some receiving monetary benefits from the miners.

In pronouncing his judgment, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, disclosed that he had sanctioned an investigation by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) into the allegations several months prior to the submission of the petition by the residents to his office.

“The initial knowledge I gained was through the media, prompting me to dispatch NBI officials to verify the claim.

“The subsequent report I received implicated you.

He pointed out that, the Gyaasehene and the Akyeamehene, who were supposed to take hold of the community in the absence of a substantive chief, had neglected their duties toward the traditional Area.

Consequently, the Asantehene, appointed the Akwamuhene of Sabronum, to oversee the activities of the community until a new chief was installed.  Sabronum traditional area, currently does not have a chief.

Earlier Destoolments

This is not the first time the revered Asante King is cracking the whip on his sub-chiefs over issues of galamsey.

In 2023, the Abuontemhene, Nana Kwaku Duah III, was destooled on Monday, August 21.

His destoolment by the Kumasi Traditional Council, was the third in a fortnight.

The Chief of Adumoa in the Afigya Kwabre District, Nana Osei Tiri Ababio, and the Chief of Bekwai-Abodom, Nana Saforo Koto, have also lost their stools in same month.

In June, the Asantehene, again destooled Nana Nketia Boampong II, the Chief of Kwaso, a town in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality.

In May, the Chief of Antoa, a popular town in Asanteman, Nana Kwame Owusu Agyeman, was also destooled for violating customary procedures and multiple sale of lands.

The destoolments, are mostly related to multiple sale of lands, sale of lands to illegal miners and violation of customary rites.

Many residents in Kumasi, say the action by the Asantehene and the Kumasi Traditional Council, will help restore and preserve the dignity of the traditional authority.