Asantehene destools Bekwai-Abodom chief over ‘galamsey’ allegations
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is accused of having destooled the Chief of Bekwai-Abodom, Nana Saforo Koto. After 20 incidents of his suspected involvement in “galamsey” [illegal mining], the Bekwai-Abodom chief allegedly failed to establish his innocence, which led to the destoolment. The locals charged the chief with selling plots of land to artisanal…
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is accused of having destooled the Chief of Bekwai-Abodom, Nana Saforo Koto.
After 20 incidents of his suspected involvement in “galamsey” [illegal mining], the Bekwai-Abodom chief allegedly failed to establish his innocence, which led to the destoolment.
The locals charged the chief with selling plots of land to artisanal miners willfully and arbitrarily.
at addition, Nana Saforo Koto was charged with failing to care for his community for seven years, which led to his forgoing conducting his usual rituals at the stool house as well as other duties.
The Bekwai-Abodomhene’s sub-chiefs have voiced their displeasure at his disdain for important customary traditions related to his status.
Otumfuo Kyeame Kwaku Owusu said during the Asanteman Traditional Council sessions that the destooled Chief did not answer all of the accusations made against him when given the option to do so.
After hearing from the several divisional Chiefs, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II declared the besieged chief guilty of all the accusations and destooled him.
As part of efforts to combat the contamination of river bodies by illicit mining, several chiefs implicated in such activities will be destooled if proven guilty before the festivities of the Asantehene’s 25th Anniversary.
