The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has destooled the Apatrapahemaa, Oheneba Akyaa Panin III, after a determination that she does not belong to the royal lineage eligible to occupy the stool.
The destoolment, which brings to an end her 24-year reign as queenmother, was carried out at the Manhyia Palace, where her traditional footwear was publicly removed in accordance with custom, formally signifying her removal from office.
The decision followed findings that Oheneba Akyaa Panin III is not of royal blood and therefore lacked the legitimate lineage to claim the Apatrapahemaa stool. Her assertion of descent from the Bosom Prah Kumaa Stool of Apatrapa was rejected as unfounded.
The family of Nana Kwafo, the first chief to occupy the Apatrapa stool, challenged her claim, insisting that she has no blood relationship with the royal family. According to the family, the destooled queenmother’s ancestors were accepted into the household only as caretakers and not as members of the royal lineage.
They further explained that when the Apatrapa stool became vacant at a time when the legitimate royal family had no qualified male successor, the caretaker family assumed temporary control of the stool.
In his ruling, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II upheld the position of Nana Kwafo’s family, stating that historical records and customary practice show that the Apatrapa stool has no genealogical or traditional connection to the Bosom Prah Kumaa Stool.
Following the destoolment, the Asantehene directed Maame Pomaa to take temporary custodianship of the stool while processes are initiated to identify a qualified and legitimate candidate to ascend it.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
