The Chief of Ohwim in the Ashanti Region has been destooled by the Asantehene over multiple offenses leveled against him at the sitting of the Kumasi Traditional Council.
Nana Kusi Baaye II, who has served as the Ohwimhene for 16 years, was accused of extortion in a chieftaincy matter, unauthorized sales of land, including cemetery lands, and involvement in illegal mining activities.
But he was mainly summoned at the traditional council meeting over the reckless invocation of the Asantehene’s Great Oath (Ntamkese), which amounted to deceiving the Otumfuo and desecrating the Golden Stool.
“You vowed with the Great Oath to be truthful, but you went against it. You don’t deserve to stay on the stool. Many have sacrificed to protect the Golden Stool, I won’t allow you to destroy it,” said the Asantehene.
In the process of hearing his case, other individuals, including the chief’s own family head and members of his royal family, leveled additional allegations, including testifying falsely in a chieftaincy dispute.
Sister of the Ohwimhene also accused him of selling family lands in the name of the Asantehene but later giving them out for illegal mining.
“We were told that Otumfuo had taken the land for a solar project but realized that he was undertaking galamsey activities and destroyed the land,” said the sister.
Among other accusations, the chief opposed the enstoolment of a queen and has been failing to perform the traditional rites, claiming he has turned a Christian.
For not being truthful to the Asantehene, the Divisions of the Kumasi Traditional Council unanimously demanded the destoolment of Nana Kusi Baaye.
The Asantehene’s verdict for the destoolment was based on the desecration of the Great Oath.