THE METROPLITAN Archbishop of the Anglican Province of West Africa, Most Rev Prof. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, has warned queen mothers in the country to desist from vying for their unqualified sons to be enstooled as chiefs.
He observed with gross worry, a recent development whereby queen mothers enstool their sons as chiefs when a stool becomes vacant at the expense of other royals that are more qualified and deserved to be enstooled as chiefs.
According to the respected man of God, the canker is gradually gaining momentum across the country; and therefore called for an immediate stop to it to help protect and sustain the chieftaincy institution.
Most Rev. Prof. Yinkah Sarfo was preaching the sermon during the thanksgiving service of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, at the St. Cyprians Anglican Church in Kumasi on Sunday afternoon.
“As for today, with all great respect to Otumfuo and Nananom present, I will say this new worrying development in our communities regarding the enstoolment of chiefs, even if I will be killed I will say it because it is not good.
“Some queen mothers have adopted a weird strategy of always pushing for their biological sons to be enstooled as chiefs whenever a stool becomes vacant, even when some of the royals are better qualified to be enstooled.
“This new worrying development is gradually becoming the order of the day and it is very dangerous for our communities and chieftaincy as an institution. So the queen mothers should desist from it”, he cautioned.
According to Most Rev. Prof. Yinkah Sarfo, queen mothers should always be fair by nominating the suitable royal to occupy the vacant stool so as to help protect and sustain the adored chieftaincy institution.
The church service was attended by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his wife, Lady Julia, Otumfuo’s children, paramount chiefs from the Asante Kingdom and worshippers from the Anglican Church.
The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Michael Oquaye, Alban Bagbin, Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi and other top politicians in the country, were all present at the church service.
Most Rev. Prof. Yinkah Sarfo also expressed concern about animosity that exists between some chiefs and queen mothers in some communities, saying that such developments usually retard the smooth growth of those communities.
He therefore entreated chiefs and queen mothers to always stay united and collectively work to expedite the developmental process of their respective areas for the benefit of their people.
Rev. Yinkah Sarfo commended the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II for leading an exemplary life worthy of emulation, especially, during her 39 years reign as Asantehemaa.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and wife, Lady Julia, used the occasion to present assortment of food items, including a white ram to the St. Cyprians Anglican Church to support their activities.
The King and his wife were following the footsteps of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, who periodically made similar presentations to the church when she was alive.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi