Elders of Offinso have expressed their disappointment in Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II over his interference in who becomes the next Offinsohene.
The demise of Nana Wiafe Akenten III, late Paramount Chief of Offinso has left a vacuum which has led to a litigation over who becomes his successor.
A former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Dr K. K. Sarpong, who was selected by the Queen Mother of Offinso with the support of some elders has been rejected by Otumfuo.
According to Otumfuo, it is rather wrong for the queen mother to present K. K. Sarpong as a candidate by virtue of royal bloodline while history and tradition tell otherwise.
Otumfuo has thus warned Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko and the elders of Offinso to put forth their candidate through the appropriate channel or risk having him rejected permanently.
But the Otumfuo’s declaration has not sat well with the Kingmakers of Offinso.
Opanyin Akwasi Afriyie, who engaged the press said “Offinso is highly disappointed in Manhyia over how the pending Chieftaincy dispute is being resolved by His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.”
“Offinso has noticed that Asantehene has taken advantage of the respect our Queen Mother has for him and therefore overexercising his powers on our Queen to harass and make her powerless,” he added.
Opanyin Akwasi Afriyie indicated that there were 18 contestants for the Offinsohene role and the Queen Mother finally settled on Dr K. K. Sarpong.
According to him, the kingmakers unanimously accepted the nominee in good faith, stressing that “there was nothing like an objection from kingmakers.”
He therefore told the Asantehene to back off as he, “Otumfuo has no power to enstool or destool any Omanhene” and “should allow the Offinsohemaa and her kingmakers to do their work as customs demand.”