Asantehene Rejects Proposal to Include Queen Mothers in House of Chiefs Sittings

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has firmly rejected a proposal to create a chamber for queen mothers within the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs, stating that such a move does not align with the customs and traditional governance of the Asante Kingdom.

Speaking during the final meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs at Manhyia, the Asantehene expressed his strong opposition to what he described as attempts to impose a uniform cultural system across Ghana, disregarding the unique chieftaincy traditions of the Asante people.

He emphasized that the proposal, which seeks to create a dedicated space for queen mothers within the structure of the House of Chiefs, is alien to Asante tradition.

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“The creation of the House of Chiefs is not our culture. Some cultures follow the patrilineal system; we follow the matrilineal system. Do not mix the two,” Otumfuo stated emphatically.

The Asantehene reiterated his position as the custodian of Asante customs and warned against any external attempts to modify their age-old traditions. “I will not allow anyone in Ghana to change my culture. I am the Asantehene. Let everyone know that I will cancel any rule of that sort,” he declared.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II further warned that the National House of Chiefs holds no authority over him or his jurisdiction. “No one should bring such a proposal to the table; it will not work. If the National House of Chiefs attempts to assert such authority, I will instruct the chiefs under my jurisdiction to stop attending its sittings and if the government wishes, it can arrest all of us,” he boldly stated.

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