Nana Amofa Twumasi II
NANA AMOFA Twumasi II’s 41-year reign as Mpasaaso Number 2 Chief in the Ashanti Region, came to an abrupt end on Monday afternoon.
This was after his overlord, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, destooled him from the throne during a gathering of Asante chiefs at the Manhyia Palace.
Nana Twumasi II was dragged to the Asantehene’s traditional court after being accused by some of his subjects of several wrongdoings in traditional office.
Some of his offenses as narrated by his accusers included his involvement in illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’, which is destroying the environment.
They also accused the beleaguered chief of not managing the Mpasaaso Number 2 Township properly as expected from him, and also not being a true royal.
The Asantehene, who was sitting in state, after listening to the various accusations, gave Nana Amofa Twumasi II the chance to respond to the allegations.
The under fire traditional leader, in his response, went on his knees with his cloth reduced to his waist level, and begged for forgiveness from the Asante King.
Pushed to the wall by Otumfuo’s linguists to respond to the wild allegations, Nana Twumasi II only said he had realised his mistakes so would not repeat them again.
According to him, he was only pleading with the Asantehene to temper justice with mercy and give him a second chance to do the right thing for his community.
But Otumfuo did not accept the chief’s constant pleading for forgiveness, as he cracked the whip by announcing that Nana Twumasi II had been destooled.
Meanwhile, the Asantehene’s verdict was welcomed by a spontaneous shout of joy from Mpasaaso Number 2 residents who were clearly on cloud nine.
In a related development, Otumfuo, on the same day, reinstated the Mpasaaso Number 2 queenmother, who was destooled by Nana Twumasi II many years ago.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi