General News of Saturday, 13 October 2012
Source: Kojo Smith/Paa Kwesi
Secretary to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has brushed aside reports that the Asantehene could be dethroned if he returns from Oslo, Norway without the missing ancestral jewels.
Mr. Owusu Boateng speaking to Ghanaweb.com from Norway described the assertion as ridiculous and a figment of people’s imagination.
The Asantehene is currently attending the Norwegian-African Business Summit in that country and the jewels are reported to have been stolen from the lobby of Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel where he had been staying.
He maintained that the quantity of the stolen jewels is of no significance which could lead to the dethronement of Asantehene.
“I have heard people say that Otumfuo could be dethroned if he heads home without the stolen jewels. This is absolutely false and whoever is saying this is either ignorant of the customs and traditions of Asanteman or just want to be mischievous,” Mr. Owusu Boateng stated.
He revealed that the delegation would return to Ghana as soon as the programme is over whether or not the stolen jewels are found by the police.
Some traditional watchers, including Nana Obiri Yeboah, had described the missing items as an ancestry legacy that must be guarded jealously by everybody.
In his estimation, the Asantehene could dethrone if he returns to Ghana without the jewels.
“It can lead to destoolment. Serious sanctions; there is an accountability at a certain period, [during one of the festivals] he must account for it…there is accountability and probity, so if you can’t account for it then there would be sanctions,” Nana Obiri Yebioah is quoted as saying.