The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the entire Asanteman have been dealt a heavy blow following reports of the sudden death of the grandson of the Asante King.
The lifeless body of Barima Akwasi Prempeh was found lying on a school park at Tafo Nyieso, a serene suburb of Kumasi, on the dawn of Monday, January 3, 2010. The cause of death was not immediately known but reliable sources at Manhyia Palace told the Daily Guide newspaper that Prempeh did not die of natural causes so the family suspected foul. Prempeh in his late 30s, was suspected to have been poisoned by some people who later dumped his body on the school field.
Residents of the neigbourhood, who saw the lifeless body of Prempeh in the early hours of the day raised the alarm and it was eventually identified. The deceased was later sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) morgue in Kumasi for autopsy. The source said though the family suspected foul play, no arrest had so far been made.
Meanwhile, an official complaint has been made to the police. Prempeh, until his death, was said to be in a very good physical condition. Prempeh was said to be among the royals very close to the Palace and one of the those who run daily errands for the monarch