Otumfuo settles Effiduase Stool Dispute

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) -- The 24 year-old chieftaincy dispute in Effiduase dramatically came to an end at the week-end when Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, declared Opanin Osei Worae as a non royal of the Mposo Ene Ameyaw Stool and therefore not qualified to be the Effiduasehene. Osei Worae, known in private life as David Osei Amankwa (Walter) laid claim to the stool following the death of Nana Odua Awere II in June 1978 under the stool name of Wara Osei Worae II.

The Queenmother Nana Abena Konadu however challenged the claim of Osei Amankwa, swearing that he had never been a royal of the stool and that there had never been Osei Worae I in the history of Effiduase. Osei Amankwa thereafter swore the Great Oath (Ntamkese) before the Asantehene that he was a royal of the Effiduase stool.

Before a great gathering of amanhene (paramount chiefs) and other chiefs of Asante man and a crowd of spectators, mostly from Effiduase, Otumfuo declared that what he wanted to be established was whether Opanin Osei Worae (Osei Amankwa) was a royal of the Mposo Ene Ameyaw stool since he has sworn the Great Oath to the effect, which the Queenmother had challenged.

Otumfuo appealed to the amanhene to come out with nothing but the truth. “I want peace in Effiduase. I want peace in Asanteman. Without peace in Effiduase there can be not peace in Asanteman” he stressed. After the various chiefs had expressed their view on the dispute, with some supporting Opanin Osei Worae’s claim but with majority siding with the Queenmother, the Asantehene gave his judgement. “Opanin Osei Worae, you are my father and I love you. If it were in my power to hand over the stool to you I would have done so. But that is not possible. We must follow the truth and tradition” the Otumfuo began his judgement.

He then told the gathering that the Great Oath Osei Worae swore had been overruled, going by all the pieces of evidence available and that the claims of the Queenmother, Nana Abena Konadu that he was not a royal of the Effiduase stool should stand. There was jubilation by the supporters of Nana Abena Konadu who poured white talcum power on her and draped her white calico, signifying victory.

Otumfuor Osei Tutu would meet his elders and the contestants again on 18 November to find out who was responsible for the creation of the two rival stools and put the matter to rest finally. Meanwhile preparations are going on by the Queenmother, Nana Abena Konadu, and her elders to outdoor Nana Adu Ameyaw II as the Effiduasehene.