On Monday, September 2, 2024, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II took the decisive step of destooling Wirempehene Nana Opia Mensah II for desecrating the revered Asante Sacred Oath, known as Ntamkɛseɛ. The destoolment occurred during a meeting of the Kumasi Traditional Council held at the Manhyia Palace.
Nana Opia Mensah II, a 90-year-old former Member of Parliament who had ruled for 54 years, was stripped of his title due to his actions, which were deemed a blatant violation of both statutory and traditional laws. The Asantehene rebuked him for attempting to distort historical truths for personal gain, a serious offense in Asante custom.
“Nana Opia, you knowingly and deceitfully invoked the Great Oath, despite knowing that the stool did not rightfully belong to you,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II declared. “You deliberately challenged its ownership, attempting to exploit your long reign to conceal your illegitimacy. However, by misusing the Great Oath for personal gain, you have forfeited your claim to the stool. Your actions have left you no choice but to relinquish the throne.”
In accordance with tradition, the chief’s traditional slippers were removed, symbolizing his official destoolment and marking the end of his reign.
This decision followed a comprehensive report presented to the Kumasi Traditional Council on August 15, 2024. The report revealed that the Aduana Clan, to which Nana Opia Mensah II belongs, is not the legitimate royal house, but rather the Oyoko Clan holds the rightful claim to the Wirempe Stool.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com