Asantehene sitting at the Asanteman Council
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned government appointees against using political power to interfere in chieftaincy matters, warning that authority in office is temporary.
“Your government is in power, so you think you can do whatever you please. Know that power is transient. Of course, you can go ahead and use that power for whatever you want now,” he said.
His Royal Majesty issued the warning on Monday, April 20, during a sitting of the Asanteman Council at the Manhyia Palace.
The Overlord of Asanteman singled out four public officials for what he described as unwarranted interference in the protracted chieftaincy dispute at Sampa. He named the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak; the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim; the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa; and the Bono Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joshua Coppson.
According to Otumfuo, the four are “behind the chieftaincy dispute at Sampa” and are supporting a faction that is not the rightful and legitimate paramount chief of the area.
“Politics has no place in chieftaincy matters,” the Asantehene said, insisting that traditional and legal institutions must be allowed to resolve such issues without political manipulation.
Otumfuo questioned why Nana Samgba Gyafla II, who has sworn the oath of allegiance to the Golden Stool and has been gazetted by the High Court as the legitimate Paramount Chief of Sampa, continues to be denied entry into the community and prevented from performing customary rites.
He revealed that the Bono Regional Police Commander had ordered the arrest of Nana Samgba Gyafla II’s supporters and placed them in custody, a move the Asantehene condemned as part of the broader interference.
He dismissed claims of “insecurity” as an excuse for barring the chief, stating: “The Paramount Chief of Sampa has been cheated out of his rightful position despite following all traditional and legal processes.”
Otumfuo also expressed concern over what he described as disregard for judicial decisions in other communities, including Nkyeraa, Amantim, and parts of Asante Akyem, where rival claimants continue to assert authority.
“There is a court ruling in favour of Amantimhene, yet someone is exerting his authority as chief, resisting the legitimate chief. The same is taking place in Nkyeraa, which has been adopted as a Divisional Council in the House of Chiefs,” he said.
Citing the situation in Sampa, Otumfuo added, “Despite court rulings, an Ivorian is in Sampa carrying himself as a royal and chief. Sampahene Gyafla will not die. The town belongs to him, and he will assume his rightful authority.”
The Asantehene also criticised some Paramount Chiefs within Asante for what he described as a lack of action in addressing the developments.
“Why are our men sitting aloof for two people in Bono to misbehave? You are all waiting for Otumfuo to act. We are all silent. You want to protect your names,” he said.
Referencing the history of Asante resistance, he invoked figures such as Tweneboa Koduah and Yaa Asantewaa, urging traditional leaders to defend the integrity of the kingdom.
“Now we have all turned into women,” he said, while vowing to resist any attempts to block traditional authorities in Bono and Bono East from paying homage to him.
Monday’s statement is the latest in a series of interventions by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II aimed at insulating chieftaincy institutions from political influence. The Asantehene reiterated that the autonomy of traditional authority must be respected to preserve cultural integrity and prevent conflict.
None of the officials mentioned had responded publicly at the time of going to press.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi