Concern Youth of Offinso have characterized Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, as an authoritarian leader who is abusing his traditional authority in the apparent chieftancy conflict in the region.
The youth unequivocally protested Manhyia Palace’s decision to have the kingmakers of Offinso Traditional Area select a new leader to replace the late Nana Wiafe Akenten II, the paramount chief of Offinso, who recently joined his forebears.
At a press conference monitored by 1Family Radio, the concerned members of Offinso Youth noted, “Offense has taken advantage of the respect queen mother has for him, therefore overexercising his powers on our queen mother and making her powerless.’’
“We can say emphathetically that Otumfuo has no power to destroy or enstool any paramount chief, and he should allow Offinso Hemaa to do her work,’’ they fumed.
The Offinso Traditional Council had refuted allegations that the late Paramount Chief of the area, Nana Wiafe Akenten II, had been succeeded by the former CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who had been nominated and recognized in that capacity.
The selection of Dr. Koduah Sarpong has been characterized as a covert media stunt by individuals close to Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, the town’s queen-mother, to force the GNPC boss through, despite concerns that he is not an Offinso native and lacks any royal ancestry that would qualify him for the influential stool.
This happens just a few days after Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko requested that Dr. Sarpong be allowed to ascend the Offinso stool. On April 28, 2022, days before his departure to the United States, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, however, refused her request, instructing her to follow tradition and customs.
Source: 1Familyradio