Don’t Trouble Woraworahemaa- Asantehene Warns Persons Challenging Her Legitimacy

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has warned parties challenging the legitimacy of Nana Abena Sarfoah Awerewa II, the Paramount Queen of Worawora in the Oti Region.

The King, at an Asanteman Council meeting on October 16, 2025, directed the plaintiffs to avoid actions that may plunge the town into violence.

Case
It comes after one Opanin Osei Kwame, who says he is the head of the royal family, invoked the Great Oath against the Queen.

He claims the stool has fallen into the hands of the patrilineal bloodline, even though it is originally matrilineal.

Return of Worawora
Asantehene in response, shared how the late Nana Asare Baah and other elders of the stool led the people of Worawora to rejoin Asanteman after over 200 years apart.

“Akrasi and Oyokohene came to tell me they wanted to return because they were part of Asante…At the time, Nana Asare Baah was the chief of Worawora. He told me they reign by patrilineal lines.”

“I welcomed them together with Asanteman. Later, the Queen was brought for an introduction. I asked the line from which she was chosen, and I was told it was the same patrilineal line. I was told it will continue in that way when both stools become vacant.”

Use Petition
Addressing the concerns of the plaintiffs, Otumfuo stated that any concern about the misplacement of their stools must be formally directed to him in a petition with their attached evidence.

“If you have now realised that the stool has been misplaced, it’s not a matter of invoking the oath. You have to petition me so I can investigate; else, it remains as it is. I don’t want any litigation there.”

He said the most appropriate time they could have raised their case was when the late Woraworahene was being introduced upon their return.

“I always thank Opanin Afari for leading the people back. When they brought Nana Asare, they said he was a descendant of a male royal. Why didn’t you object then?”

Patrilineal Succession Remains
That notwithstanding, Otumfuo said he would look into the matter for the truth to prevail when he gets the petition, which he directed to be handed to any of his chiefs of staff at his office.

Until that, His Majesty asserted that the patrilineal system must remain in place as he warned the plaintiff from troubling the Queen.

“Until I change it, it remains a patrilineal stool. I don’t want violence there. Bring the family tree so I can investigate. Don’t trouble the queen. I will look into the matter.”

Parting of Worawora From Asante
Asantehene shared the untold story behind the parting of the people of Worawora from Asante in 1732.

This was during the reign of Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware I, when the Adako people, now known as Worawora people, were in charge of supplying the King catfish.

At the time, the Adako people were occupying present-day Kuntenase.

Recounting the incident, Otumfuo said a decree was given for the execution of the Adako people after Nana Opoku Ware fell ill after consuming catfish.

“It was assumed that they wanted to assassinate the King, so a judgment was pronounced for their execution.”

While many of them were killed, the majority fled and made settlements at Dikoma and Atibi before settling at their present location in the Oti Region around 1774.

Following their departure, the King allotted Kuntenase to the Oyoko people.

Led by Nana Asare-Baah, they rejoined the Asante Kingdom in 2002 during the reign of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Asantehene and Asanteman welcomed back them with open arms.

Story by Hajara Fuseini