The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has destooled his linguist, Kyeame Kofi Nti, after the Asanteman Council upheld multiple allegations of misconduct against him.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council at the Manhyia Palace.
According to proceedings at the meeting, concerns were raised over Kyeame Kofi Nti’s royal lineage and his inability to properly invoke Otumfuo Ntam Kɛseɛ, a core duty of his office as Kyeame.
He was also accused of improperly handling and retaining multiple invocations of Otumfuo Ntam Kɛseɛ, the Great Oath, beyond what is traditionally permitted for holders of the position.
The Council further noted that he failed in his duty to appropriately report invocations of the Ntam Kɛseɛ, describing the lapse as a serious breach of expectations for someone occupying such a revered stool.
Allegations linked to the wrongful enstoolment of the Ayaase Dikro, raised by the Ayaasehene, were also considered during the deliberations.
The destoolment takes immediate effect.
The role of Kyeame is one of the most senior in the Asante traditional structure, serving as the official spokesman of the Asantehene. The Ntam Kɛseɛ is regarded as the highest oath in Asante custom and is invoked only under strict traditional protocols.
The Manhyia Palace had not announced a successor at the time of going to press
FROM David Afum, Kumasi