The ongoing challenge of appointing a new paramount chief for Offinso is reportedly attributed to the involvement of the Queen Mother, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, according to statements made by Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan, the paramount chief of the Heman Traditional Area (Hemanhene).

The vacancy in Offinso arises from the nomination and subsequent rejection of Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong, the former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Nana Sanwoansan addressed this issue during a meeting of chiefs in the Asanteman Council, as captured in a video shared by Kumasi-based Opemsuo Radio on December 13, 2023.

In his remarks, Nana Sanwoansan expressed concerns about the roles played by both the former GNPC boss and the Queen Mother in the protracted saga.

Specifically addressing the queen mother, whom he said is an acquaintance, the Hemanhene said: “Nana Offinsohemaa is also making a big mistake. Offinsohemaa, we have been close friends for 30 years; why are you doing this?

"The youth are misbehaving, and some of them are even performing all kinds of rituals. What are you saying about this? Are you encouraging these things? Stop what you are doing. You can’t be doing this with the Asantehene,” he cautioned.

He also emphasised the position of the Asantehene that KK Sarpong was not a royal and therefore was unfit to be chosen, let alone enstooled, as successor to the late Offinsohene.

He added that the chieftaincy in Offinso cannot be bought with money, as Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stated months ago.

“KK, you made a donation during the one-week celebration of the late Offinsohene; during the funeral, you donated, and you even signed the book of condolence. If you were part of the royal family, would you be doing all this?

“If you were a royal, would you be signing the book of condolence? Stop what you are doing. We have to tell him the truth for him to stop what he is doing. You can’t be playing with the Asantehene like this,” he said in Twi.

“Even me, the Hemanhene, cannot do this with the Asantehene, what is wrong with you?” he added.

Background:

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on April 28, 2022, days before his departure to the United States, turned down a request from Offinsohemaa Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko to accept Dr. K. K. Sarpong as her choice to ascend the Offinso stool, telling her to go and do the right thing as demanded by the traditional and customary protocols.

The kingmakers of the Offinso Traditional Area chose the former GNPC boss to succeed the late Paramount Chief of Offinso, Nana Wiafe Akenten II.

In reaction to this, some youth of Offinso described the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as an autocratic leader who is overstepping his traditional powers in the seeming chieftaincy dispute in the area.

The youth, without mincing words, kicked against Manhyia Palace’s decision that the kingmakers of the Offinso Traditional Area should bring a new person to succeed the late paramount chief of Offinso.

At a press conference, the concerned members of Offinso Youth said, “Offinso has taken note that the Asantehene has taken advantage of the respect our queen mother has for him, therefore over-exercising his powers on our queen mother and making him powerless.

“We can say emphatically that Otumfuo has no power to destool or enstool any paramount chief and he should allow Offinso Hemaa to do her work.””