Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, will tomorrow, witness a finality to the Offinso chieftaincy crisis with Asantehene, pronouncing his verdict on who is eligible to occupy the vacant stool.
But ahead of tomorrow’s verdict, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has blasted the Queenmother of Offinso, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, for being the source of the chieftaincy crisis and the ongoing confusion in the town.
At the heart of the matter is the eligibility of the ex-Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Chief Executive, Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong, who is desperately seeking to occupy the stool.
Last week Thursday, the committee made up of the Yamfohene, Atwimamahene, Kaasehene, Ofumanhene with Kumawuhene as the chairman, presented its report to Otumfuo and his cabinet, but the Ashanti overlord, who quickly rubbished the report, said it was not accurate, having declared Dr Sarpong, as qualified to occupy the stool.
His eligibility has been challenged by some indigenes of Offinso, who had insisted he does not hail from the town, and also not related to any of the families vying for the stool, following the death of Nana Wiafe Akenten III, Paramount Chief of Offinso Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region.
Protests over Dr Sarpong’s status led to the Otumfuo, setting up a five-member committee to investigate the lineage of all the 18 candidates, particularly that of Dr Sarpong.
The protests erupted in the Offinso community over the decision by the Queenmother, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko to nominate Dr Sarpong, for the position.
The Asantehene, gave a history of the Offinso stool and announced, he would pronounce his verdict tomorrow to bring finality to the matter.
Otumfuo, insisted that the report had been skewed in favour of the ex-GNPC boss and blamed the Queenmother, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, for the confusion over the stool.
He explained that he had nothing against Dr Sarpong, who had served under him in the past, but insisted that the proper thing must be done, and reiterated that the report from the committee was not accurate.
Otumfuo’s comments drew loud jubilation from the crowd who had gathered at the Manhyia palace to hear the report. They called him Solomon, Wiseman among several accolades for insisting that the right thing prevailed.
Most townsfolk see Dr Sarpong, who recently built a plush mansion in the town as a usurper, insisting he is from the Beposo Asona Royal family and not from Dwamena and the Wiafe Stool of Offinso.
They asserted that he is from Beposo, a town in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region, where his parents and other relatives are buried, and where he stands a better chance of becoming a chief.
