Bantamahene kneels before Otumfuo to seek mercy over destoolment

The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu has been called on to temper justice with mercy by pardoning Bantamahene Baffour Owusu Amankwaatia IV of some ‘sins’ he allegedly committed.

The Bantamahene has been captured in a video with some elders kneeling before Otumfuo as they seek to escape punishment from him.

As per reports, Bantamahene is facing destoolment after engaging in some actions which are deemed to have brought shame to Asanteman.

Otumfuo is said to be seething with rage after investigations by some sub-chiefs in the Ashanti Kingdom found Baffour Owusu culpable of encroaching on parts of land at the Race Course Market.

The head of the Konti Division of the kingdom has also been accused of forcefully diverting the course of the Subin River for personal benefit.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu is reportedly giving thoughts to the possibility of axing him from his seat.

Media reports from Kumasi indicate that a massive vote of no confidence has been passed by all divisional chiefs, paving way for his exit.

Also, a group of linguists in the kingdom have joined the crusade with a plea to the ‘Wise King’ to fire him for insubordination.

But Otumfuo is said to unwilling to destool the Bantamahene due for some kindness the latter’s father did to him some years ago.

As he ponders over destoolment or not, Otumfuo has for the time being directed an immediate demolition of all structures on the said lands.

Bantamahene kneels before Otumfuo to seek mercy over destoolment

PHOTO: Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, the Bantamahene

Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, known in private life as Mr Sylvester Asare Owusu in 2016 succeeded his elder brother Baffour Owusu Amankwatia V who died in 2016.

The Bantama stool is very prominent in Kumasi and in the Manhyia Palace and for that, the occupant of the stool pays an unalloyed loyalty, dedication and honesty to the Asantehene.

The Bantamahene, is also the head of the Krontire clan (Head of town) of the Kumasi Traditional Council and also serves as the war marshal of the Asantehene.

The occupant of the Bantama stool is normally disarmed when he gets closer to the Asantehene to greet him, considering that he is a warrior and always carry arms.

Traditionally, anytime the Asantehene sits in state and the Bantamahene gets closer to him, the Asantehene’s bodyguards intervene to stop him, disarm him and inspect to see if he has no hidden arms on him before he is allowed to get closer to the Asantehene.

Therefore, if the Asantehene perceives the occupant of the stool as someone who is not loyal to him, he immediately destools him.

What happened in the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday was described as a near destoolment by Graphic Online’s sources.

The Asantehene had earlier appointed Mr Asare Owusu to serve as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the football club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko on two occasions.

In 2002 when the Bantama stool became vacant after the late Baffour Awuah V died, Mr Asare Owusu’s name came up as one of the probable candidates but his elder brother, Nana Amankwatia V was chosen ahead of him.

He was later handed the Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football club job as chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) after the exit of Mr Herbert Mensah in 2002 and held the position on two occasions.

He steered the affairs of Kotoko and handed it over to Major (retd) Yaw Larson but was re-appointed as chairman after Larson was sacked and later exited in 2010 for Mr K.K. Sarpong to take over.

He owns a number of businesses including the famous Silvercrest supermarket located on the Bantama High street in Kumasi.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com