Asantehene Outlines Legitimate Grounds for Rejecting a Stool Nominee

Asante Queens have the privilege of deciding who rules as chief per the customs and traditions of the Kingdom.

The process as outlined by the Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, demands that she consult the Family Head in selecting an appropriate individual to ascend the male stool whenever it is vacant.

The consultation must be done indoors, the Asantehene stressed during an Asanteman Council meeting on October 16, 2025.

The Queen then presents the name of the nominee to the Gyaasehene- who principally is the middleman between the Queen and the kingmakers as well as between the royals and kingmakers.

The Gyaasehene then relays the message to the kingmakers at an appointed date for deliberation and review.

The review entails going through the records of the nominee to see if he has a criminal record, is maimed in any way that would affect the discharge of his duties, or has questionable character.

“The approval of the nominee by the kingmakers must get a majority endorsement — that is, those who are in support of the nominee must be more than those against him, if they find no reasonable objection. They then communicate their decision to the Queen through the Gyaasehene. At this point, the nominee becomes the responsibility of the Kingmakers who then perform the rites for his enstoolment before he is presented before the Asantehene to take the oath of allegiance.”

As a sign of the Queen’s endorsement, she must be present on the day the nominee is presented.

Asantehene continued, however, that in instances where a reasonable objection is raised, the Queen is engaged again to find another nominee.

The King noted that this has been the undiluted process handed down by founding fathers.

“This was how Nananom arranged the process. It must not change in our time,” His Majesty said while charging Nananom to rise above nepotism for peace to prevail.

Story by Hajara Fuseini