Destooled! Nana Kwabena Nsia Ababio
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has destooled the Paramount Chief of Kenyase No. 2, Nana Kwabena Nsia Ababio, for allegedly violating Asante customs and traditions.
The dramatic decision was taken during a sitting of the Asanteman Traditional Council at the Manhyia Palace on Monday, July 27, 2026, after the chief appeared before the Council over a dispute involving the Queen of Kenyase No. 2, Nana Akua Tikwamaa.
Delivering his ruling, the Asantehene expressed disappointment in the conduct of the chief, saying he had repeatedly ignored several warnings over his actions.
“I warned you several times, but you failed to listen. Today you have seen the consequences of your actions. You created the Hyiawohene stool in your traditional area. What authority did you have to do that? You once served as a courtier in the house of the Hyiawohemaa. Through your service, Kenyase No. 2 was established and you were enstooled as chief. The land you occupy belongs to the Kenyasehene,” Otumfuo stated.
Immediately after the pronouncement, the chief’s traditional sandals were removed in line with Asante custom to signify his destoolment, while the appropriate customary rites, including the slaughtering of a ram, were ordered to complete the process.
The Asantehene also destooled almost all the kingmakers of the traditional area after finding that they had breached their oath of office.
However, he spared the Kontihene and reinstated the destooled Akyeame and other linguists of the traditional council.
“There are no other kingmakers left in the town. You who remain should support the queen in administering the affairs of the traditional area,” Otumfuo directed.
Petition
The proceedings stemmed from a petition filed by the Paramount Chief seeking the destoolment of the Queen, Nana Akua Tikwamaa, over alleged gross insubordination.
In a 10-point petition, the chief accused the queen of indiscriminate sale of land, issuing unauthorised letters on the traditional council’s letterhead, unlawfully destooling the Nsafoahene and Adontenghene, reselling lands already allocated to other persons, appointing sub-queens without approval, neglecting her responsibilities, disrespecting paramount chiefs and kingmakers, and employing land guards.
Queen Fights Back
Responding before the Council, Nana Akua Tikwamaa denied all the allegations, insisting that she had not engaged in any unlawful land transactions.
She maintained that the only parcel of land she sold was done with the knowledge and approval of the Paramount Chief.
The queen, however, accused the Atipimhene, Akwamuhene, Apesimakohene, the chief’s wife and the Council’s Town Planning Officer of forging documents and engaging in indiscriminate land sales.
She also dismissed claims that she had destooled the Adontenghene and Nsafoahene.
“The two chiefs remain in office and continue to attend palace meetings. How could I have destooled them?” she queried.
She further denied using land guards.
Nana Akua Tikwamaa, in turn, accused the Paramount Chief of violating Asante tradition by creating unauthorised stools, including Akyempimhene, Hyiawohene, Sumankwaahene, Anantahene and Atipimhene.
According to her, the chief also allocated some of the stools to his sons and sisters in breach of established custom.
She further alleged that the chief’s wife had assumed the role of queen and had been directing the affairs of the traditional council, including influencing major decisions.
FROM David Afum Kumasi