The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is widely revered for his authority and leadership within Asanteman but those who follow proceedings at the Manhyia Palace also know him for something else, his sharp wit and occasional humorous jabs that lighten otherwise tense traditional hearings.

Over the years, the Asantehene has delivered several humorous remarks that have gone viral, offering Ghanaians a glimpse of his lighter side while he executes his traditional duties.

Otumfuo destools subchief amid Humorous yet firm rebuke

One of the widely circulated moments followed the destoolment of the Nkonsonhene, Nana Osei Tiri II, after he was found to have disrespected a ruling by the Asantehene on a land litigation case.

A video shared by Royal Palace Multimedia showed the chief being brought before the Asanteman Council after complainants revealed that he had defied Otumfuo’s directive that a disputed piece of land remain untouched until a final ruling.

Despite several warnings, the subchief reportedly led his people to begin developing the land, prompting the king’s intervention.

After the linguist’s cross-examination established the chief’s misconduct, the Asantehene delivered a firm yet humorous pronouncement that went viral, “I was waiting for you to die, but you don’t want to die. You are not fit for the stool, so you are destooled,” Otumfuo said.

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You want the court to make you chief? - Otumfuo questions litigants

In another proceeding involving a chieftaincy dispute, Otumfuo chided individuals who resort to the courts to force their way onto traditional stools.

Expressing his displeasure with the growing trend, he said, “If you take the chieftaincy to court for the court to rule that you become a chief, then where will you be chief after the ruling? You will end up swearing the oath to the court instead of Asanteman. Because where will you become the chief?”

Otumfuo recalls humorous memory of teacher’s broken English

The Asantehene has also shared humorous personal stories during public interactions.

In one instance, he recounted a memory from his school days involving a teacher who used a broken English in class.

According to Otumfuo, the teacher was conducting a poultry class when a stone struck the roofing sheet above them, prompting the teacher to ask, “Who throw the stone to make the roofing makes noise?’ in a broken language.

The Asantehene shared the story lightheartedly, drawing laughter from those present.

Otumfuo: If you take chieftaincy disputes to court, swear oath to lawyers and judges#opemsuoradio pic.twitter.com/ARj8VbUPaF

— Opemsuo Radio (@OpemsuoRadio) July 5, 2024

Otumfoɔ destooled his own childhood friend for wrong doing. He said he has seen everything but patiently waiting for him to die but he don’t want to die and won’t tolerate the bad deeds anymore 😂 pic.twitter.com/LCWzUj6LNR

— CLINTON 💫 (@LilMoGh) July 8, 2025