Concerned Youth of Offinso, a collective that recently staged protests against the continuous dismissal of Dr. KK Sarpong’s nomination as Offinsohene by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has voiced strong concerns over what they perceive as an excessive exercise of authority by Manhyia on their leader.
During a press conference held in the area, the group asserted that the rejection of the nominee chosen by the Offinso kingmakers effectively amounts to harassment of their queen mother, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko. She oversees the selection process, and they believe this rejection diminishes her authority to carry out her responsibilities.
“Offinso is highly disappointed in how the pending chieftaincy dispute is being resolved by His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
“Offinso has taken notice that Asantehene is taking advantage of the respect that our queen mother has for him and therefore overexercising his powers on our queen mother to harass and make her powerless,” part of their statement read.
The youth stated that 18 contenders were penned down for the vacant stool and were whittled down to three and finally, KK Sarpong was chosen as a successor to the late Offinsohene.
“The kingmakers unanimously accepted the nominee in good faith. If the kingmakers had rejected the nominee, the queen mother would not have an option, and we repeat that there was nothing like an objection from our kingmakers,” they added.
According to them, necessary customs, traditions and aseda nsa (drink of thanks) was given to the relevant authorities in that respect, only for the nomination to be rejected by Manhyia.
“We can state emphatically that Otumfuo has no power to enstool or destool any Omanhene and should allow the Offinso Hemaa and kingmakers to do their work,” they charged.
They rejected the often-cited reason for the rejection, stating that there was no spell cast on the Ahyiemu Royal family and that other reports had dispelled the same, yet the same “fabricated lies” are being used to block KK Sarpong.
Otumfuo’s warning to Offinso Hemaa
According to Otumfuo, he would never countenance any actions on the part of the queen and the elders that will undermine the tradition of Asanteman when it comes to the election and selection of chiefs.
“No one can arrogate powers that do not exist to themselves. None of the elders have the right to sell land when there is no Offinsohene, specifically when it is the Offinsohene who must sign off the sale.
“There is no such power. You are to take charge until a new chief is installed and then account for your stewardship.
“So be very careful in Offinso. I am very aware of all the things you’re doing at Offinso. You’re friends with Pitin Abontengdomhene and you have recorded a tape… I am very aware of your plot, that you will go ahead and install a new chief when I travel by Monday.
“Offinso Hemaa, you are aware of this, be very careful… I would never allow you to cause the downfall of Offinso,” Otumfuo stated through his linguists in an audiotape of his Asantemen court sitting shared by Royal Palace Multimedia.
The quest for a new 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 GNPC CEO, Dr K. K. Sarpong, 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.