Tensions are mounting in the community of Mpatasie as residents and members of the royal family have raised an alarm over the sudden disappearance of centuries-old royal ornaments and regalia. There are growing fears that the missing artefacts could bring spiritual calamity upon the town if they are not returned to the stool house immediately.
The concerns were made public by an opinion leader and member of the royal family, Mr. Kwadwo-Bi, who spoke to journalists on Sunday. He alleged that the artefacts went missing following a controversial act by the community’s chief, Nana Kofi Asante Amorben.
According to Mr. Kwadwo-Bi, the chief stormed the town’s sacred black stool room and forcefully removed the main black stool—an action he described as a grave violation of cultural norms.
“The black stool, per tradition, is not supposed to come out in the day. However, the chief, in an attempt to relocate it, broke into the room in broad daylight to bring it out,” Mr. Kwadwo-Bi stated.
He further disclosed that this incident occurred despite a direct warning from the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who had instructed the chief to leave the stool undisturbed in its designated room.
Mr. Kwadwo-Bi also alleged that the chief had flouted the Asantehene’s Great Oath, a solemn invocation in Asante custom that demands immediate compliance and investigation.
“We invoked Otumfuo’s Great Oath on him to stop him from removing the black stool, but he showed no respect to the Great Oath,” he lamented.
In addition to the missing regalia, the royal family member accused the chief of refusing for over five years to install a queen mother for the community, despite the availability of eligible candidates. He noted that all efforts to appoint a queen had been blocked by the chief.
Chief’s Linguist Denies Wrongdoing
Responding to the allegations on behalf of the chief, the linguist for the Mpatasie community, Okyeame Osei, categorically denied any wrongdoing. He insisted that issues relating to the Great Oath had already been resolved.
On the matter of installing a queen, Okyeame Osei maintained that no one could force the chief to take such an action.
“Nobody can force the chief to install a queen,” the linguist said.
As of press time, the chief had not issued a personal statement on the matter, and calls for an independent investigation by the traditional council are growing louder among concerned residents.
