Twelve sub-chiefs of the New Juaben Traditional Area, who claim they have dethroned their Paramount Chief, Prof. Oti Boateng, say their Overlord, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has knowledge of their action.
The angry chiefs invoked the Otumfuo’s Great Oath (Ntam Kesie) and performed rituals on Monday to effectively dethrone Prof. Oti Boateng whom they accused of vindictiveness, autocracy and arbitrariness.
Spokesperson for the disgruntled sub-chiefs, Nana Yaw Anor Boateng II, who is the Nseniehene, told Strict Proof that although they were yet to officially convey their actions to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, “we know he has knowledge of the invocation of the Oath”.
“We will be going to Manhyia any moment from now,” he disclosed.
Even though this is not the first time the Otumfuo’s great oath has been invoked against Prof. Oti Boateng, Anor Boateng II said the latest invocation was the first one ever aimed at the Paramount Chief’s dethronement.
He said the first invocation against Prof. Oti Boateng was three years ago, in connection with the enthronement of a Queen mother.
He was, according to the Nseniehene, hauled before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for disregarding the Queen mother’s enthronement at the time.
Anor Boateng II said Prof. Oti Boateng will, again, be hauled before the Otumfuo over the latest rumpus.
However, the Kontihene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Baffour Nyantakyi Tutu Boateng, has told Strict Proof that Prof. Oti Boateng neither owes allegiance to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II nor his Great Oath.
“…They should leave New Juabenman alone because Asanteman has nothing to do with New Juabenman; they are two separate entities so why do they want to bring Asanteman into this matter”, he fumed.
Pressed further about whether New Juaben considered itself as an independent jurisdiction of Asanteman, the Kontihene explained that: “The New Juabens migrated from Ashanti to come and settle in Koforidua and its environs…so what are they referring to; what are they talking about?”
According to him, “If they say they are going to Otumfuo allow them to go; nobody is preventing them from going so allow them to go but don’t ask me my opinion about whether I subscribe to Otumfuo or I don’t subscribe to him. Please I cannot answer that question that’s why I’m saying that if you do that then you are trying to bring a wedge between New Juabenman and Asanteman”.
