Nana Kwaku Duah nominated as Asantehene

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 29 March ?99

Nana Kwaku Dua, 49, a business executive, and son of Nana Afia Kobi Serwah Ampem the second, Asantehemaa, was on Monday nominated as the successor to Otumfuo Opoku ware the second, the late Asantehene who died on Thursday February 25.

At a meeting of the Kumasi traditional council at the Manhyia palace in Kumasi, the Gyaase division of the council comprising Gyaase, Mawere Ankobea and Nkosuo, was asked by custom to contact the Asantehemaa, the regent, to nominate a successor. A delegation from the Gyaase division led by the Saamanhene, Nana Saaman Nantwi the second, went to the Asantehemaa and after consultations nominated her son, Nana Duah who was introduced to the Gyaase division.

Immediately Nana Duah was accepted by the Gyaase, his supporters poured powder on him and sent him to his private residence at Dichemso, a suburb of Kumasi where jubilations which started earlier continued. Nana Duah told newsmen: ' "I was nominated not because I am the son of the Asantehemaa but because I am the most popular choice of the people".

By custom, Nana Duah will be introduced to the Kumasi traditional council this week. If he is accepted the council will further introduce him to the Asanteman Council before being confined for 40 days prior to his installation and enstoolment.

Seven royals of the Golden Stool were tipped for consideration.They were Nana Akwasi Agyemang, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr David Osei Yeboah, a quantity surveyor and his brother Dr James Yeboah, a Takoradi based medical practitioner.

Others were Nana Osei Tutu Owusu, a London based civil servant, Dr Isaac Kwame Takyi, a United States based engineer and Barima Osei Kwadwo.

Meanwhile Joy FM reports that the elders of Manhyia Palace are furious over an attempt by the government to influence the process of choosing the next Ashanti King. On Saturday night, Joy FM reports that a four-member government delegation met with palace elders, including the Queenmother and now the Regent of Ashanti, Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi, and told them that the President and the First Lady, wish that they choose the controversial Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Authority, Nana Akwasi Agyeman, as the next king.

According to Joy, reliable palace sources say Nana Kobi and Nana Karikari have expressed indignation at the government's intrusion. They said they won't permit government officials to tell them who the king of their 300-year-old kingdom should be. Although Nana Akwasi Agyeman qualifies, along with at least half-a dozen others, to succeed Otumfuo Opoku Ware, many Ashantis find his personality too brash, and his association with the governing NDC too close for their comfort, the report said. Ghana?s constitution debars chiefs from dabbling in politics. This is to keep them above party political bias and safeguard the dignity of Ghana's ancient chieftaincy.