The nomination of a new Bantamahene has run into trouble as descendants of Amankwatia Panin, for whose dynasty the stool was created by the late Asantehene, Nana Osei Tutu, challenge the eligibility of the candidate chosen by the kingmakers.
They claim that Mr Kwadwo Asare, popularly known as Ben, who had been selected for the stool had no legitimate title to it and was therefore not qualified. The family has consequently appealed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, to declare his nomination a nullity.
Oheneba Yaw Oppong, Essuowin Puduonananom Abusuapanin, who acted as Spokesman, alleged at a press briefing in Kumasi that Mr Asare's late uncle, Awuah Abodwese, was banished from the stool following his rebellion against the Golden Stool.
Besides, he claimed, the nominee's grandfather whose name he could not immediately give, hailed from Kwahu in the Eastern Region and for that matter was outside the rightful lineage to become Bantamahene. Oheneba Oppong described the whole process of Mr Asare's nomination as totally lacking in transparency and dubious.
According to him, a behind closed doors meeting held at the Bantama palace on Tuesday, 10 September by the Gyaasehene, Ankobeahene and Akyeamehene to choose a successor to the stool was inconclusive as Mr Asare, who they presented to the Gyaase clan was rejected by 13 votes to three.
"It must be noted that even from among the three chiefs, the Ankobeahene dissented on the basis of his eligibility," Mr Oppong added. He said it therefore came as a complete surprise when the kingmakers, two days later, in spite of the overwhelming opposition, came out to declare the selection of Mr Asare as Bantamahene-elect.
"It is regrettable that since the restoration of the Asante Confederacy on 31 January 1935, the Bantama stool was the only one that had not been restored to its rightful owners, hence “We will accept nothing short of fairness and justice and will press ahead to claim back what is legitimately ours."
The family put up Dr Baffour Awuah, an educationist, as its candidate for the stool that became vacant following the death of the late Baffour Awuah V, the Bantamahene, in January this year.
