A Proxy’s Authority Ends When the Queen or Chief Dies- Otumfuo

The custom and tradition of the Asante Kingdom permit a chief or queen to select a proxy to undertake his or her official duties when unable to perform due to specific circumstances such as incapacitation.

However, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Occupant of the Golden Stool, has affirmed that the power of the proxy in acting on behalf of the traditional leader ends when the ruler dies.
Unless the chief or queen deposed herself while sick, the proxy cannot continue to remain in office when they pass away, His Majesty noted.

“If a traditional ruler, either male or female, cannot perform his/her mandate, he/she may choose his niece, nephew or grandchild to act as a proxy. The authority of the proxy ends when he dies.”

“Ask yourself: Did the one you succeeded die before you came to power? Or did she/he depose herself while she was sick? If none of these happened, then you are only a proxy and your power ends when he/she dies.”

The Asantehene said this after the Kumasi Traditional Council reviewed the committee report on the dispute over the position of the “queen” of Bechem-Tanoso.

Position
The disputing factions in the case were the self-proclaimed Queen, Amponsah Boah II and the deceased family head, Opanyin Aboagye Pesewu- who initiated the case and was subsequently represented by his successor, Opanyin Adusa Yeboah at the Council meeting.

The late family head had argued that the Queen was a proxy to Obaapanin Adwoa Takyiwaa and, therefore, illegitimately continued to hold onto the position three years after her death.

According to him, she was selected as a proxy after the Queen became incapacitated following an accident in 2005.

The Queen argued otherwise, noting that she was enstooled in 1999 as a successor to Obaapanin Kra.

Committee Report
The committee found that Obaapanin Adwoa Takyiwaa was a proxy to Obaapanin Kra who was legitimately enstooled Queen.

The focus of the committee was particularly on the fact that Nana Asare Baffour, Bechem-Tanoso Chief who passed away in 2017 never introduced the Obaapanin Boah to the Asantehene to legitimize her position.

All divisions of the Council agreed with the findings.

Verdict
In his verdict, Otumfuo noted that the rulership of Takyiwaa was illegitimate as it violated tradition.

“Takyiwaa was not a queen, she was a proxy and that renders her leadership and that of the current one void. Her power ended when Kra died. Had Obaapanin Kra deposed herself, a ram would have been slaughtered for spiritual recognition. This is Asante culture and tradition.”

His Majesty chastised the elders of the Bechem-Tanonso for drawing away from Manhyia, an action he recognizes has left them ignorant of tradition.

Enstoolment of Chief
Otumfuo then gave charge for a suitable candidate for the vacant male stool to be elected immediately.

The candidate, he directed, must be selected by the female heads of the royal households.

“The elderly women in the royal households are to select their preferred candidate for the Abusuapanin to perform the necessary rites.”

Suspension of Queen Enstoolment
The King, however, restrained them from enstooling a queen for the area in the meantime.

“Leave that one to me. I am thinking about it,” he added.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini