Asantehene Intervenes as Nananom Split Over Atutuye Stool Dispute

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has intervened in the ongoing Atutuye Stool dispute after a committee tasked with resolving the matter was divided over the rightful royal lineage.

The four-member committee’s report revealed that three members supported the claim of Opanin Sarpong, while one dissented, siding with Opanin Yaw Dwene. The other party is Opanin Antiedu.

During a sitting of the Kumasi Traditional Council on October 20, 2025, His Majesty questioned inconsistencies in the genealogical accounts presented by both factions. He emphasised that true royalty in Asanteman is determined by descent through the maternal line, not merely by who once ruled or resided on a stool.

“When we talk about royalty and peace, we must ask who gave birth to whom,” Asantehene stated.

“It is not about who reigned – is everyone who rules a royal? We should ask: who is his mother, who is his grandmother, and how many children came from that line?”

He further questioned the committee’s conclusion that two claimants with different backgrounds and supporters could belong to the same lineage.

“Now you say the two {Sarpong and Antiedu} are the same, yet one has Tano people following him – what did you base that on? Who gave birth to Dwene? If his mother says he is a child of the stool {from paternal side}, how do I rule on this?” he asked.

Asantehene clarified that the Atutuye Stool does not follow a single, straight hereditary line, revealing that the late Atutuye chief was his son and belonged to the Asene clan, not Oyoko.

His Majesty temporarily suspended deliberations, directing that all parties be summoned before him for a conclusive genealogical review.

“Hold on with this case. I will call all sides and tell you your genealogy,” he ordered, setting a two-week deadline for the matter to be concluded.

Committee Findings

The committee’s findings showed that all members agreed Opanin Sarpong and Opanin Antiedu belonged to the same family line, as their family trees were nearly identical. The only variation was the inclusion of Tano people, which Sarpong alleged Antiedu had added to his lineage.

The committee also noted that Sarpong and Antiedu’s separation stemmed from internal family disagreements. Interestingly, Antiedu’s own witness confirmed that the two shared the same ancestry, even though Antiedu himself denied it.

According to the majority, Opanin Sarpong traced his lineage to a recognised royal ancestor, presenting detailed accounts of how his forebears swore allegiance to specific Asante Kings. His account was deemed more consistent with earlier judicial findings and oral traditions regarding the Atutuye Stool.

However, the dissenting member of the committee argued that Yaw Dwene displayed a deeper understanding of his ancestry, effectively explaining the historical movements of his forebears and their connection to Adenkyeminaso — one of the ancient founding states of Asanteman.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso