Otumfuo summons Essumeja Queenmother

THE QUEENMOTHER of Essumeja, Nana Adwoa Pokuaa Nyankopon, would have to face the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on February 24, without fail, or face the consequences.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu gave the Queenmother a two-week ultimatum to appear before the Council, to help expedite the determination of a dispute.

The Asante King gave the ultimatum, through the royal family and elders of the Essumeja Traditional Council, at a sitting of the Kumasi Traditional Council at the Manhyia Palace last Tuesday.

He cautioned that he would not sit aloof, while the timeless tradition of Ashanti was trampled upon by people who should know better.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, as well, took the opportunity to remind elders of the Essumeja Stool and royals, that he was still awaiting the outcome of their search for the missing Black Stool.

The Asantehene had previously given a similar ultimatum to the Stool Elders of Essumeja, to take immediate steps to retrieve the Black Stool of the Aduana royal family, or face instant destoolment.

The Essumeja Traditional Council, presided over by Nana Ntim Banahene, has since held a series of meetings to meet the demands of the Asantehene.

Nana Nyankopon, a party to a dispute in which her legitimacy to the Queenmother's stool is being contested before the Asantehene, is said to have asked permission last year to travel outside Ghana, to see to some personal commitments over a period of one month.

The five-member Judicial Committee, headed by the Achirensuahene, charged to find out the issue of eligibility of the Queenmother, is yet to submit its report.

Meanwhile, The Chronicle has gathered that two potential claimants, namely Amo Gyebi (USA) and George Kwarteng (Switzerland), are currently standing by to contest the Essumeja Stool, which became vacant on the demise of Odeneho Oduro Numapua II in 2003.