Destooled Chief of Abuontem, Nana Kwaku Duah II, appeared to have lived in a palace not befitting of his status.
This emerged on Monday, August 21, 2023, when Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, issued a decree for the removal of Nana Kwaku Duah II, the chief of Abuontem.
This decision came after Nana Duah failed to provide a defense against charges brought against him during a session of the Asanteman Traditional Council, presided over by Otumfuo.
The charges against Nana Duah included his defiance of Otumfuo’s directives by accessing a land under litigation despite a court injunction. He was also accused of engaging in indiscriminate land sales and failing to promote development in Abuontem.
As is customary during proceedings at the Manhyia Palace, various subchiefs were given the opportunity to express their opinions and offer counsel to His Majesty based on the facts presented.
In the case of Nana Kwaku Duah II, nearly all the chiefs who spoke advocated for his removal, citing his failure to fulfill his duties. Others strongly criticized his behavior, both as a chief and as a servant of Otumfuo.
“What we the Nifa chiefs have to say is that he has defied the sacred orders of Asantehene. He (Otumfuo) issued an injunction on the land and he defied it. On three occasions, even the developers who are not chiefs dared not to defy Asantehene’s order but for someone who has been given a post by Asantehene you dared to enter the land.
“When the committee queried you, you claimed that Asantehene has ruled in your favour. Would the Asantehene have set up a committee if he had ruled on the matter?
“You have been a chief for 37 good years, making you one of the most experienced chiefs in this house, we should be learning from you. But you rather joked with the orders of the Asantehene.
Aside from that, they spoke with utter disgust the current state of the palace Nana Kwaku Duah II lived in.
“My lord, if you go and see the palace he lives in you will be marveled. It is worse than a kiosk that is painted in red, gold and green colours. Even schools in his community are not in a good state.
“He has left the community and resides in Asafo where he rules from. My Lord, he has gone beyond pardon so please sack him,” the spokesperson of the Nifahene group stated.