A protest occurred in Offinso last week, urging the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom, to accept Dr. K. K. Sarpong’s nomination as the new Omanhene of the area.
This is because, Otumfuo in October 2022, rejected Dr Sarpong, a former CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Company’s (GNPC) nomination which was put forward by the Queen mother of Offinso, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, and some elders.
The Asantehene reiterated his rejection recently, citing concerns about a potential disruption of tradition.
Nevertheless, some residents of Offinso held a peaceful protest to express their dissent with the Asantehene’s decision. Clad in red and black attire with headbands and wristbands, they carried placards bearing slogans like “No KK, No Chief” and “We need someone who can develop Offinso.”
One protester stated that they were simply appealing to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to reconsider his rejection of KK Sarpong as the new Offinsohene.
“We know what we are saying, so they should give the man a chance to sit on the throne, so that he can come and also help us,” one of them stressed.
Another individual emphasized that no paramount chief needed Otumfuo’s approval to be enstooled, clarifying that their role was to enstool the chief and then present them to Otumfuo.
Others argued that the queen mother had the right to nominate KK Sarpong, as she was within her rights as a royal and an indigene. They believed it was the Asantehene’s responsibility to accept the choice of the people.
Otumfuo, however, maintained his stance, emphasizing that he would not tolerate any actions by the queen and elders that undermined Asanteman’s traditions in the selection of chiefs. He cautioned against arrogating powers that did not exist and stressed that no land could be sold without the Offinsohene’s approval. He was also aware of attempts to install a new chief during his absence.
The death of Nana Wiafe Akenten III, the late Paramount Chief of Offinso, had led to a succession dispute. Dr. K. K. Sarpong, the former GNPC CEO, was nominated by the Queen Mother of Offinso with the support of some elders, but Otumfuo rejected this choice.
He argued that it was incorrect for the queen mother to present K. K. Sarpong as a candidate based on royal bloodline when history and tradition suggested otherwise.
Otumfuo warned Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko and the Offinso elders to follow the appropriate channels for presenting their candidate or face permanent rejection.