Asantehene destools Apatrapa queenmother over ‘non-royal’ lineage

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has removed the Apatrapahemaa, Oheneba Akyaa Panin III, from office after ruling that she does not belong to the royal bloodline entitled to the stool.

Her 24-year reign came to an end at the Manhyia Palace, where her royal sandals were taken off in public – a symbolic act under Asante custom that formally confirms destoolment.

The decision follows a chieftaincy dispute over her claim to the Bosom Prah Kumaa royal lineage of Apatrapa. After examining the matter, Otumfuo concluded that her purported connection to that stool was not supported by tradition or history.

The family of Nana Kwafo, the first chief of Apatrapa, insisted that Oheneba Akyaa Panin III is not related by blood to the recognised royal line. They say her family was originally accepted into the household only as caretakers, not as members of the ruling dynasty.

They further told the Asantehene that when the Apatrapa stool became vacant and no eligible male heir could be found within the royal family, the caretaker relatives effectively took control of the stool, despite lacking hereditary entitlement.

In his ruling, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II endorsed the position of Nana Kwafo’s family, stating that the Apatrapa stool has no genealogical or customary link to the Bosom Prah Kumaa Stool and that the current occupant therefore lacked legitimate standing.

The Asantehene has directed Maame Pomaa to assume temporary custodianship of the Apatrapa stool while the appropriate traditional processes are set in motion to select a qualified royal candidate to succeed to it.