To enforce accountability and prudent management of stool assets, the Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has instituted a new strict measure to safeguard stool properties.
At the Asanteman Council meeting on April 20, 2026, the King underscored the significance of documenting an inventory of stool assets.
His Majesty warned that chiefs who fail to keep proper records of stool assets risk having their families barred from ascending to stools in the future.
“Your family will be barred from ascending a stool if you fail to keep a record of stool assets,” the Asantehene stated. “Every stool has property and must be accounted for in writing. If you cannot show what you met and what you are leaving behind, your lineage cannot be trusted to rule.”
The absence of records, Otumfuo said, undermines transparency and thwarts development as it poses a significant challenge to new traditional rulers.
Otumfuo directed chiefs to maintain updated registers of all stool lands, buildings, cloths and funds designated to stools.
Otumfuo made these remarks when his permission was requested to audit stool properties for the newly enstooled Paramount Chief of Juansa.
Per Asante traditions, designated chiefs from the Manhyia Palace collaborate with kingmakers to audit and render accounts on stool properties to newly enstooled chiefs.
“Accounting involves jurisdictional boundaries. After pledging allegiance, we leave new leaders to their fate without any resources. They must receive an account of what their predecessor has left behind.”
The directive is part of the Asantehene’s broader push to strengthen governance in the chieftaincy institution.
This is not the first time Otumfuo has encourged accountability by all sitting chiefs.
In December 19, 2025, during a meeting with the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, His Majesty directed that each chief should develop an inventory of the assets they inherited and those they have subsequently acquired.
“You must have an inventory of things you came to meet and what you have added. It will even immortalise your reign. This includes your clothes. It brings glory to the stool. The inventory is important.”
“Sometimes money for burial becomes difficult. This is a disgrace that must be addressed. All your stools are honourable. Don’t bring any dent on the stool and chieftaincy.”
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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Source:
opemsuo.com