Asantehene Warns Chiefs Against Misuse of Traditional Regalia

The Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has condemned, in no uncertain terms, the misuse of traditional regalia by some Asante chiefs.

The trend has become a major concern, drawing the attention of His Majesty.

Otumfuo addressed it when Nananom met for an Asanteman Council meeting at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on October 16, 2025.

“Now almost all chiefs ignorantly sit in Palanquin after swearing allegiance even if palanquin is not part of their regalia. Know that swearing allegiance to me is what affirms your position not the Palanquin you sit in. There is also trend where all chiefs want to swear with the Mponponsuo sword not knowing Ahwebaa is supreme among all swords.”

“Some chiefs have created and added Mponponsuo which they brandish around even to this place {Manhyia}. Some have created Sumankwaa stool. It has become fashionionable among the chiefs. These acts are against Asante tradition. They tend to fight our tradition.”

This, Otumfuo observes, emanates from ignorance about the tradition and history behind the various stools by the occupants.

Otumfuo recollected how in the past, candidates selected to assume a stool were taken through the history and nuts and bolts of the stool for 40 days before being presented to the Asantehene to take oath of allegiance.

The Asantehene therefore announced plans to hold a workshop for Nananom at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall to enlighten them about tradition.

His Majesty noted the platform will be created for Nananom to ask questions and get the opportunity to learn.

Story by Hajara Fuseini