Owhimhene destooled over galamsey

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has destooled the Chief of Ohwim, Nana Kusi Baaye II, over multiple allegations, including his alleged involvement in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Nana Kusi Baaye II who has served as Ohwimhene for 16 years, was summoned before the Kumasi Traditional Council last Monday to answer  the charges of his alleged desecration of the Great Oath, extortion, illegal land sales, and engaging in illegal mining activities.

He was initially summoned over the reckless invocation of the Asantehene’s Great Oath (Ntamkese), an act considered deceitful to Otumfuo and a desecration of the Golden Stool.

However, during the proceedings, additional allegations emerged, including false testimony in a chieftaincy dispute.

Following assessments and further interrogation at the council meeting, he was found guilty of the charges, prompting his destoolment by the Asantehene.

The chief, however, maintained his innocence of the charges levelled against him.

Disowned

His own family head and members of his royal family, including his sister, testified against him, accusing him of selling family lands under the pretence of acting on behalf of the Asantehene, only to later allocate them for illegal mining.

The 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 realised that he was undertaking galamsey activities and destroyed the land,” said the sister.

As a result, the Asantehene ruled for his immediate destoolment, reaffirming his commitment to upholding traditional authority and protecting the integrity of 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 as he pronounced the chief’s immediate destoolment.

Threat

As part of the war against illegal mining, also known as galamsey, the Asantehene last year threatened to destool any chief in his jurisdiction who was in any way, found involved in the menace.

In August 2024, he carried out the threat by destooling three chiefs in the Ashanti Region for their involvement in galamsey.

The three chiefs — Gyaasehene of Sabronum, Nana Awua Gyau Atuomi; Sabronum’s Akyeamehene and the Baamuhene — have been banned from performing any traditional mandate on behalf of the Asantehene.