The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is the King of the Ashanti Kingdom
Suggestions to create a Chamber of Queenmothers and to allow queenmothers to take part in sittings of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs have been dismissed by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who insists that Asante customs cannot be altered through legislation.
According to a report by citinewsroom.com, the Asantehene recognised the important role queenmothers play in Asante traditional governance, especially in the nomination and selection of chiefs and in providing guidance on key issues.
However, he emphasised that Asante tradition requires queenmothers to exert their influence behind the scenes, while chiefs publicly represent the stool.
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Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made these comments at the final meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs for 2025, held on December 19, 2025.
“We have to let Ghanaians know that traditions and customs differ across various areas. No one should create rules that bind everyone. The Asante culture is different from other cultures. The law governing queenmothers exists, and it has not changed.
“We respect them for selecting chiefs. All of us in this room were selected by women who are queenmothers. Our tradition is that they offer advice behind closed doors,” he stated.
The Asantehene’s comments were in response to a proposal by the National House of Chiefs to establish a Chamber of Queenmothers and include them in sittings of the House as part of proposed amendments to the Chieftaincy Act, 2008.
He also cautioned against attempts to impose a uniform cultural system across the country, stressing the distinct nature of the Asante chieftaincy structure.
“The creation of the House of Chiefs is not our culture. Some cultures follow the patrilineal system; we follow the matrilineal system. Do not mix the two. I will not allow anyone in Ghana to change my culture, I am the Asantehene. Let everyone know that I will cancel any rule of that sort.
“No one should bring such a proposal to the table; it will not work. The National House of Chiefs has no authority over me. If it attempts to assert such authority, I will instruct the chiefs under my jurisdiction to stop attending its sittings, and if the government wishes, it can arrest all of us,” he added.
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AK/AM
Source:
www.ghanaweb.com
