Asantehene is dead

ACCRA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The king of Ghana's Ashanti people, Otumfuo Nana Opoku Ware II, has died, state radio and palace sources reported. He was 79.

The Asantehene, whose death was reported by the radio on Saturday, had been in failing health.

Sources close to the Asantehene's palace in Kumasi, the capital of Ghana's Ashanti region, said he died on Thursday following an attack of bronchitis.

Ghana's pre-colonial Ashanti empire based its power on gold. Britain defeated it in the late 19th century to extend control over what was then known as the Gold Coast.

The Asantehene, Matthew John Kwaku Adusei-Poku, was a London-trained lawyer before he became the 18th King of Ashanti. He came to the throne, or Golden Stool as it is known, on July 27, 1970.

Contrary to tradition, he had just one wife, with whom he had three children. She died in 1995.

The government is expected to announce a period of national mourning.