Nana Obiri Boahen is a historian and lawyer
The newly-installed Paramount Chief of Worawora in the Oti Region, Nana Saforo Baah III, swore his allegiance to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace on Tuesday, December 15, 2025.
This oath of allegiance taken by Nana Saforo Baah III was done during the Asanteman Traditional Council Meeting.
Watch as Worawora and Bechem chiefs swear allegiance to the Asantehene
Thereafter, the development sparked discussions, with people wondering why the traditional council, despite being in the Oti Region, a different jurisdiction from the Ashanti Region, pledges allegiance to the Asantehene.
On the back of that, historian and lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen has explained to GhanaWeb the historical ties between the Worawora Traditional Council in the Oti Region and the Asanteman Council, and why the traditional council, despite being in the Oti Region, pledges allegiance to the Asanteman.
Speaking exclusively to GhanaWeb's Mandy Agyemang on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Obiri Boahen traced the origins of the Worawora people to Kuntanase in the Ashanti Region.
“The people of Worawora are from Kuntanase in Ashanti Region. History has it that as a result of some chieftaincy problems, they moved from Kuntanase between 1620 to 1625. They first settled at Nkonya in the Oti Region and stayed there for some time. One of the chiefs, known as Kyerekyere, moved from Nkonya to the present-day Worawora, which is about 400 years since their ancestors left Kuntanase,” he explained.
Obiri Boahen highlighted the historical significance of Kuntanase, noting that its existence predates the formation of the Asante Union in 1700.
“When we are discussing the history of Ashanti Region, Kuntanase plays a very major role. In fact, Kuntanase was in existence before the Asante Union was formed in 1700 so, it's an old ancient town and it’s also at Asante Manso, even older than Kumasi,” he added.
The historian drew parallels between the Worawora people reconnecting with their roots and the movement among Black Americans seeking to trace their heritage.
He insisted that there was nothing wrong with the Worawora people returning to their roots as part of the Asanteman.
“If Black Americans are talking about going back to their roots, there's nothing wrong for the Worawora people to also come back to their roots,” the historian stated.
Asked why the name of the traditional council did not change despite being in the Oti Region, Obiri Boahen explained that traditional allegiances in Ghana are not strictly tied to location.
Two chiefs swear oath of allegiance to Asantehene
He further referenced several examples of such cases to support his point.
“Chieftaincy doesn’t work that way. If you go to Yilo krobo and Manya krobo, they are related to Pampram and Ningo which are all in the Eastern Region. New Juaben is in the Eastern Region but a member of the Asanteman Council. Japeikrom, Berekum, Tuobodum are in the Bono Region but are also members of the Asanteman Council… Chieftaincy doesn’t constrict itself to geographical boundaries,” he noted.
MAG/AE
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