The Nomination and Installation of Okyenhene

The ascension to the Ofori Penin Stool as an Okyenhene is reserved for only sons of the Asuna Royal family of Kyebi. Members of the Kyebi Asuna Royal family through historical linkage, also include members of the Asuna Royal families of Akropong-Akuapem and Adansi in the Ashanti Region. By this, royals from Akropong-Akuapem and Adansi could also contest for the nomination to the Ofori Penin Stool. After the death and burial of an Okyenhene, the Queenmother of the Royal family is expected to, in-consultation with the elders of the Kyebi Asuna Royal Family, consider the various contestants to the stool and nominate one of them for consideration by the Kingmakers of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council. The Kingmakers are made up of members of the Central Committee of the Council which consists of the Adontenhene, Nifahene, Benkumhene, Gyasehene, Osaewoo and Amatomiase. Since the Akyems inherit maternally, the contestants to the stool need to be maternal cousins of the Okyenhene or nephews or sons of the Okyenhene's sisters. After a nomination has been made, the Kingmakers would then consider the candidate according to their custom and established tradition. Since the Ofori Penin Stool is revered, the Kingmakers had to ensure that the nominee is not a fellow who could bring the high office of the Okyenhene into disrepute by ensuring that the prospective Okyenhene has led a life worthy of emulation by society. The Kingmakers have the power to reject the nomination of the Queenmother if they find the nominee unsuitable for the stool. When the Queenmother's nomination is rejected, she has two more chances to nominate fresh candidates. Should the Kingmakers reject all three nominations of the Queenmother, then the right of nomination is reverted to them. Should the position of Queenmother be vacant either through death or sicknessat the time of the death of an Okyehene, the Abusuapeyin of the Kyebi Asuna Royal family will be asked do the nomination. The reason for this is because since the Queenmother's nomination is often done in consultation with other elders of the Asuna Royal family, her choice only reflects the consensus reached by family elders where the Abuasuapayin plays an important role. After the nomination and approval of the future Okyenhene, the lucky candidate is confined for 40 days. During the confinement, the future King is taken through all the rituals and formalities of traditional area in a bid to prepare him to assume control over his people. At the end of the 40 days, the new Okyenhene is publicly installed and outdoored. At the outdooring ceremony, the new Okyenhene swears the oath of allegiance to the chiefs and people of the traditional area and the members of the traditional council. The members of the Traditional Council and all the divisional Chiefs in the Traditional Council would then swear an oath of allegiance to the new Okyenhene. Within 40 days after the outdooring ceremony, the new Okyenhene is supposed by customary practice, to perform the final funeral rites for his predecessor.