The Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stated that the creation of the Houses of Chiefs is not part of the customary fabric of Asante.
The King described it as part of modernisation and westernisation during a speech at a meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs on December 19, 2025.
According to Otumfuo, it was allowed only because it is stipulated by law under the 1992 Constitution.
“I allowed you to join the National House of Chiefs just because of its statutory provisions backed by law. I come here, {Regional House}, only for the sake of the law. We deliberate on legislation, land issues and other parts of the statutory provisions.”
The King, while speaking, defended the culture, customs and traditions of Asanteman against any proposed form of legislative interference.
His Majesty is determined to push back at any attempt that contravenes his customary practices.
Otumfuo made these remarks during the last sitting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs while reacting to proposals from the National House of Chiefs to amend the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) to establish a Chamber of Queenmothers and include them in House of Chiefs sittings.
His Majesty intimated that customs differ across ethnic groups and tribes, and thereby a blanket law such as has been proposed by the National House cannot be imposed on all.
The diversity, His Majesty stated, is recognised under the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) and the 1992 Constitution.
“Ghanaians must know that cultures differ across, as such, contravening laws cannot be enacted at the national level to be imposed on everyone. Our culture and tradition are different from others. They {National House of Chiefs} must be careful not to bother us with the statutory enactment…Some people practise a patrilineal culture, while ours is matrilineal. The National House of Chiefs, which has a diverse background of people, must be careful not to mix them up.”
“The Constitution states that the ‘institution of chieftaincy together with its traditional councils as established by customary law and usage is hereby guaranteed in the constitution.’ What is customary usage?”
Otumfuo thereby called for the appreciation of the existing diverse customs.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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Source:
opemsuo.com